HARTFORD – On September 20th Bravo!, a Vernon-based manufacturer of raw pet food products, announced a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs.

The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and another product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The voluntary recall was implemented because the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected the bacteria in samples of product obtained during recent inspections.

USDA and FDA are conducting inspections of the manufacturing facility and sampling product to ensure the safety of the foods produced there. Staff from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Department of Consumer Protection also is investigating.

The company and the Connecticut Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection have not received any reports of illness in either people or animals associated with any of the three recalled products.

The recalled products are distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet sales and directly to consumers, and they can be identified by the batch ID code located on the hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tubes.

The recalled products should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

To prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and caregivers, everyone should follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. In general people may risk infection not only by handling raw pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they practice good hygiene by thoroughly washing their hands with hot water and soap after handling their pets, pet waste and raw pet food.

The symptoms of Salmonella sickness in include vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, dehydration, sluggishness, weakness and high fever. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Symptoms of illness in pets are the similar to those for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet is ill should contact their veterinarian.

For more info on the Bravo! recall, visit www.bravorawdiet.com/recallinfo.html, or call toll-free (866) 922-9222.

Recalled Pet Food

Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food

Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110

Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes

Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236

Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food

Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110

Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes

Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236

Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food

Product Number: 21-212

Size: 2 pound tube

Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226