RECALL ALERT: Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Dog Food

Two limited batches of Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Patties and Frozen Beef Tripe Nibblets are being voluntarily recalled by the Carnivore Meat Company because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Carnivore Meat Company, which is based in Green Bay, Wisc., was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the batches tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, according to a news release today.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The symptoms for both people and dogs include high fever, stiffness, nausea and diarrhea. If you or your dog have these symptoms after touching or eating the recalled products, see a doctor or veterinarian.

“We pride ourselves on the overall quality of our pet food, and we believe taking these precautionary steps was the most appropriate thing to do,” said Lanny Viegut, CEO of Vital Essentials, on its website.

Earlier this week, Stella & Chewy’s, which is also based in Wisconsin, recalled several frozen and freeze-dried pet food products because one lot was found to contain Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled Vital Essentials products were distributed in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

The following two lots are included in the recall. The lot number and best by date are located on the back of the package.

Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Patties
UPC: 33211 00809; Lot #: 10930; Best by date: 20160210

Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe Nibblets
UPC: 33211 00904; Lot #: 10719; Best by date: 12022015

If you purchased one of these products, call 920-370-6542 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT for further assistance. If the package has been opened, dispose of the food by securing it in a covered trash receptacle.

Photo: VitalEssentialsRaw.com