After a positive test for Listeria monocytogenes, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) ordered a stop sale of Stella & Chewy’s® Freeze Dried Chicken Patties dog food on July 2, 2015. The MDA notified the various retailers and distributors who sold the product of its findings and subsequent stop sale order.
The particular products that are a part of the stop sale order include:
- 5-lb bags of Stella & Chewy’s® Freeze Dried Chicken Patties dog food with a lot number of 111-15 and a “best by” date of April 23, 2016.
It was uncertain if Stella & Chewy’s® had also issued a recall in addition to the MDA stop sale order at the time. Eventually, the company did issue its own recall on July 4, 2015.
Listeria can cause a variety of problems in pets exposed to and infected with it, including fever, muscle stiffness, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also at risk are older adults, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Medical attention should be sought for anyone, human or pet, who show these symptoms after coming into contact with the affected product.
Consumers in the United States can file a complaint with the FDA about FDA-regulated products by calling their regional consumer complaint coordinator. They can also visit www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints to file a complaint.
Canadians can file a complaint about a product by completing the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.