If You Own A Dog, You Should Be Aware Of This

If you own a dog, then you need to double-check your pantry right now. Stella & Chewy's has recalled dog food for possible listeria contamination. After being notified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) that it had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, Stella & Chewy's issued a voluntary recall of its Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties For Dogs, as well as a number of other products that did not test positive but could have been exposed to the affected lot, out of precaution. If you have purchased a 15-ounce bag of Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties For Dogs, or anything from the same lot, you are advised to throw it out immediately or return it to your retailer for a full refund.

On Saturday, Stella & Chewy's issued a statement on its website:

On Thursday, Stella & Chewy’s was notified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) that it issued a stop sale order on a single lot of Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties for Dogs, 15 oz. bags (Lot # 111-15) because MDA detected Listeria monocytogenes in the product.

In addition to that specific product, the company also announced that, "in an abundance of caution," it would also be issuing a voluntary recall of numerous products that may have been exposed to Lot # 111-15. Stella & Chewy's emphasized its commitment to its customers:

The health and safety of our customers and their pets is always of the utmost importance to us. We are accountable for every dinner and treat we make and recognize that we have an important obligation to provide customers with the quality products they deserve and have come to expect from us over the years.

You can visit Stella & Chewy's site for a full list of the products recalled.

According to the website, the products being recalled were sold to wholesale distributors and retailers throughout the U.S., but not Canada. Anyone who has purchased one of the products on the list is advised to discontinue using it. While the company makes sure to point out that it has no reason to believe any product not included on the list has been affected, it encourages customers to return any Stella & Chewy's product if they feel uncomfortable feeding it to their pet.

The company also reassured customers that no reports of human or pet illnesses had been made in connection with this recall.

Listeria is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in children, elderly people, and those with weak immune systems. Like humans, animals that are infected with the Listeria bacteria, which is called listeriosis, could show symptoms that include loss of balance, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, constipation, and pregnancy loss. However, according to the FDA, dogs and cats rarely get listeriosis and when they do, they usually don't show any symptoms.

Images: Randi Hausken/Flickr, Stella & Chewy's