Briefs

Cat food recalled after pet’s death directly linked to tainted product

December 26, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

The front and back of the packaging of Northwest Naturals turkey cat food that was recalled after a pet died in the state where the product was made and distributed. Photo courtesy of Northwest Naturals

Share this:

NATIONWIDE — FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A HOUSECAT WHO ATE FOOD TAINTED WITH BIRD FLU, an Oregon pet food company has recalled one of its products, CNN reported on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Northwest Naturals, owned by Morasch Meats, announced the recall Tuesday for one batch of its 2-pound Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food after the product tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, also known as H5N1 bird flu, according to a news release. The batch with the virus was sold across the United States through distributors in several states, including on the East Coast. Testing confirmed a genetic match between the infected animal and the virus found in the raw frozen pet food, the department said. The recall applies to products with “best if used by” dates between May 21, 2026, and June 23, 2026, according to Northwest Naturals, which advises pet owners who bought the recalled product to discard it immediately and contact the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

Laboratory testing from the US Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University confirmed that the cat, which was strictly an indoor pet who had not been exposed to the virus from any other source, died after consuming raw frozen pet food that tested positive for H5N1 in Washington County, Oregon, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.