Recall for Natural Balance Pet Foods Dog Food and Cat Food
This A+ FRR Pet Nutrition FAQ discusses the July 2007 recall of Natural Balance Eatables due to the risk of botulinum toxin poisoning as well as an early recall in April 2007 for two venison formulas of Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods after the company received reports of pets vomiting and experiencing kidney problems.
July 2007. Dick Van Patten's
Natural Balance Pet Foods has recalled several of its
Natural Balance Eatables dog foods due to the possible presence of botulinum toxin, which can cause botulism poisoning. The foods are produced by the Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Georgia.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness resulting from the consumption of the botulinim nerve toxin that, if left untreated, can cause paralysis of the arms, breathing muscles, and legs. Symptoms such as general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and/or trouble with speaking or swallowing generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food.
The recalled dog food varieties are:
- Natural Balance Eatables Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food - 15 Oz. can (23633-59860)
- Natural Balance Eatables Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food - 15 Oz. can (23633-59861)
- Natural Balance Eatables Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables - 15 Oz. can (23633-59862)
- Natural Balance Eatables Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food - 15 Oz. can (23633-59863)
The U.S. FDA has warned customers not to purchase or eat any of the canned dog food products listed above (as well as various hot dog chili sauce and canned meat products also produced by Castleberry Food Company. All "best by" and code dates for the foods are affected by the recall). Additional information is available from the
Castleberry Food Company website.
April 2007. Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods has recalled its Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food formulas after receiving reports of animals vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. The issue has since been traced to a rice protein concentrate ingredient that had been contaminated by melamine, a chemical used in the production of plasticware and also used as a long-acting nitrogen source for fertilizer. Melamine is toxic to cats and dogs and has sparked the international pet food recall that has claimed thousands of pets' lives.
The recall initially included only two formulas — Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food (all date codes) — but was expanded on April 20, 2007, to include all date codes of Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice Canned Dog Food and Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice Formula Baked Dog Treats.
Then, on April 26th, 2007, Natural Balanced added four additional formulas to the recall list following American Nutrition's recall of all of its canned food products that contained rice protein concentrate that had potentially been contaminated by melamine. The four new formulas recalled were:
- Natural Balance Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
- Natural Balance Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
- Natural Balance Beef Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
- Natural Balance Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food (3 oz. and 6 oz. cans)
No other Natural Balance pet foods or treats are affected by the recall, according to the company. Additional information on the Natural Balance dog food and cat food recall is available from the Natural Balance Pet Foods site.
A+ FRR Note: Flint River Ranch has no involvement with Natural Balance, and none of Flint River Ranch's all natural, healthy dog food formulas or cat food formulas are involved in this dog food recall or any other pet food recall.
Related Information:
FAQs: Pet Food Recalls
