Wild Coast LLC, operating under the name Wild Coast Raw based in Olympia, WA, has announced a recall of specific lots of their frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats. This recall comes due to the potential contamination with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, commonly referred to as bird flu. The H5N1 virus poses a risk to animals consuming contaminated products, raising concerns for pet owners across Washington State and Oregon.
The affected product, available in 16oz and 24oz sizes, is packaged in small round white plastic containers featuring a green label. The recall specifically includes products with the following lot codes: 22660, 22653, 22641, 22639, 22672, and 22664. Each of these lots has a Best Buy date of 12/25. Furthermore, the recall has been expanded to encompass any raw materials sharing similar production dates and lot codes with 22660 and 22664, as highlighted in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s public health alert issued on February 14.
Pet owners who have fed their pets with the recalled Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula are advised to monitor for symptoms of bird flu in their cats. These signs may include fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, breathing difficulties, and neurological symptoms such as tremors, stiff body movements, seizures, lack of coordination, or even blindness. If any of these symptoms appear, pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.
While no human infections related to the handling of raw pet food have been reported, there remains a risk of infection if the bird flu virus enters a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial for individuals to wash their hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food and to sanitize all contact surfaces, including countertops, refrigerators, bowls, and utensils. Those who have come into contact with the contaminated products should remain vigilant for symptoms of bird flu in themselves, which may include eye irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, difficulty breathing, seizures, rashes, diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting. Anyone exhibiting these symptoms after exposure should seek medical advice from their healthcare provider and contact their local health department.
The recall was prompted following testing conducted by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which detected the presence of the same strain of H5N1 in affected cats and the recalled products. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is also involved in this investigation, and both entities are working in collaboration with Wild Coast Raw to identify and rectify the source of the contamination.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled product are strongly advised to securely dispose of it to prevent any risk of exposure to pets and wildlife. It is also recommended that individuals do not sell or donate these products. For a full refund, customers should return the recalled items to the place of purchase. For further information or inquiries, consumers can contact Wild Coast Raw via email at info@wildcoastraw.com or by phone at (360) 591-3543 during the hours of 8 AM to 4 PM PST.
