Blue Ridge Beef has announced a recall of over 1,000 pounds of cat food due to potential salmonella contamination.

The recall affects approximately 1,350 pounds of the company’s 2-pound logs of Kitten Mix. This action was taken following a customer report from Massachusetts, as stated in a press release from the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the release, “A sample of the product was taken on 12/12/2024 by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources after a customer reported animal illness, and it was then tested by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory.”

The FDA reported that the sample collected tested positive for salmonella. The recalled products were distributed between July 18 and July 26, 2024, and have been sold in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Recognizing salmonella infection symptoms

Salmonella is a harmful bacteria that can contaminate food if safety standards are not followed, such as improper handwashing by workers handling food, according to the FDA. Contaminated water used for irrigation can also be a source of salmonella, as noted by the CDC.

Symptoms of salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, can show up anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure. These symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, according to the CDC.

In more severe cases, individuals may experience symptoms like aches, headaches, high fever, fatigue, skin rashes, and blood in urine or stools. Some cases of salmonella infection can lead to serious complications or even death.

Each year, salmonella is responsible for approximately 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States, according to CDC estimates.