Pet owners, listen up! If you feed your furry friends Blue Ridge Beef pet food, you need to know about a recent recall that’s making headlines. On April 11, 2025, Blue Ridge Beef recalls pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination, affecting their Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix products. This news is serious because these bacteria can make both pets and people sick. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the recall, why it happened, what to do if you have the affected products, and how to keep your pets safe. Let’s dive in with simple, easy-to-understand info for all pet parents out there.
What’s the Recall All About?
Blue Ridge Beef, a company known for its raw pet food, announced a voluntary recall of 1,080 pounds of their 2-pound Kitten Mix (Lot #N26 0114) and 1,380 pounds of their 2-pound Puppy Mix (Lot #N25 1230). The recall was triggered after a customer reported their pet got sick, and tests confirmed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria in these products. These bacteria are no joke—they can cause serious health problems for pets and even humans who handle the contaminated food. The affected products were sold between January 3 and January 24, 2025, in states like Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin. Blue Ridge Beef recalls pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination is a big deal, and pet owners in these states should check their pet food bags right away.
Why Are Salmonella and Listeria Dangerous?
Salmonella and Listeria are bacteria that can make both pets and people sick. For pets, eating contaminated food can lead to symptoms like tiredness, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Some pets might not show any signs but can still spread the bacteria to other animals or humans. For people, handling the contaminated pet food without washing hands thoroughly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever. In rare cases, these infections can lead to serious issues like arthritis, muscle pain, or even heart problems.
The recall of Blue Ridge Beef pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination is especially concerning because raw pet food, like Blue Ridge Beef’s products, is not cooked, making it more likely to carry harmful bacteria. This is why proper handling and hygiene are super important when feeding raw diets to your pets. If your pet shows any signs of illness after eating these products, contact your vet right away. And if you’ve handled the food and feel sick, talk to your doctor.
How Did This Happen?
The recall started after a customer noticed their pet got sick and reported it to the authorities. On March 20, 2025, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets collected samples of the Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix. Tests done by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture on April 1, 2025, confirmed that both products were contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria. This isn’t the first time Blue Ridge Beef has had issues—since December 2024, the company has issued multiple recalls for Salmonella contamination, including a December recall of 9,600 pounds of Puppy Mix and a January recall of 5,700 pounds of Natural Mix. The repeated recalls show that contamination can be a challenge for raw pet food companies, and it’s a reminder to always check the food you’re giving your pets. Blue Ridge Beef recalls pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination highlights the need for better safety checks in raw pet food production.
What Products Are Affected?
Here’s the specific info you need to check if your pet food is part of the recall:
- Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix: 2-pound logs, Lot #N25 1230, UPC #854298001696
- Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Mix: 2-pound logs, Lot #N26 0114, UPC #8542980013436
These products come in clear plastic packaging, and the lot numbers are stamped on the clips at the end of the bags. They were sold in retail stores in nine states between January 3 and January 24, 2025. If you have any of these products at home, stop feeding them to your pets immediately. The Salmonella and Listeria contamination in Blue Ridge Beef pet food recall makes these products unsafe for your pets and risky for you to handle. Check the lot numbers and take action to keep your household safe.
What Should You Do If You Have the Recalled Products?
If you’ve got the recalled Puppy Mix or Kitten Mix, here’s what to do:
- Stop Using the Food: Do not feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animals. Even if your pet seems fine, the bacteria could still be harmful.
- Dispose of It Safely: Throw the food away in a way that kids, pets, or wildlife can’t get to it. For example, seal it in a plastic bag and put it in a secure trash can.
- Return for a Refund: You can take the product back to where you bought it for a full refund.
- Clean Everything: Wash and sanitize your pet’s food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Also, clean any surfaces the food might have touched, like your kitchen counter. Don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the food or cleaning up.
- Watch for Symptoms: Keep an eye on your pet for signs like diarrhea, vomiting, or tiredness. If you notice anything unusual, call your vet. If you or anyone in your house feels sick after handling the food, see a doctor.
For more info, you can contact Blue Ridge Beef at [email protected] or call 704-873-2072 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST). Blue Ridge Beef recalls pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination is a serious issue, so don’t wait—take these steps to protect your pets and family.
Why Do Pet Food Recalls Keep Happening?
You might be wondering why Blue Ridge Beef has had so many recalls lately. Raw pet food, like the kind Blue Ridge Beef makes, is more likely to carry bacteria because it’s not cooked. Cooking kills harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, but raw food skips this step to keep nutrients intact. While raw diets can have benefits, like providing proteins and enzymes, they come with risks if the food isn’t handled or processed properly. Blue Ridge Beef has faced three Salmonella-related recalls in just a few months, which raises questions about their safety practices. Posts on X have even pointed out that Blue Ridge Beef isn’t considered a high-quality brand by some pet owners, and frequent recalls don’t help their reputation. The recall of Blue Ridge Beef pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination shows that pet food companies need to step up their safety game to protect our pets.
How to Keep Your Pets Safe from Contaminated Food
Pet food recalls can be scary, but there are ways to lower the risks:
- Check Lot Numbers: Always look at the lot numbers on your pet food bags and compare them to recall notices. You can find recall updates on the FDA’s website or sign up for alerts from sites like Dog Food Advisor or Petful.
- Handle Raw Food Carefully: If you feed raw pet food, treat it like raw meat. Use separate utensils, wash your hands, and clean surfaces thoroughly.
- Store Food Properly: Keep pet food in a cool, dry place and seal it tightly to avoid contamination.
- Stay Informed: Follow pet food brands and the FDA for updates on recalls. Some pet owners use tools that track FDA alerts to get instant notifications about recalls.
By staying proactive, you can reduce the chances of your pet eating contaminated food. The Salmonella and Listeria contamination in Blue Ridge Beef pet food recall is a reminder to always be cautious with raw pet food.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Ridge Beef recalls pet food due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination is a wake-up call for pet owners. This recall affects thousands of pounds of Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix sold in nine states, and it’s not the first time Blue Ridge Beef has had issues with Salmonella. To keep your pets safe, check your pet food for the recalled lot numbers, dispose of it properly, and clean anything that might have touched the food. If your pet is acting sick, don’t wait—call your vet. And if you’ve handled the food, watch for symptoms in yourself too.
Pet ownership comes with a big responsibility to keep our furry friends healthy, and that starts with feeding them safe food. By staying informed and careful, you can protect your pets from the risks of contaminated food. Let’s keep our cats and dogs happy, healthy, and wagging their tails!
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