Darwin's, again

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Darwin's is back in the news again after several lots of its raw food tested positive for Salmonella, and one for both Salmonella and Listeria. Here is FDA's notice and Darwin's response.

Darwin's is, as ever, unapologetic and insists its food is safe for pets. While no pet illness has been reported this time, several pets have in fact been sickened and killed from its food in the past. It is false that there is 'no danger' from this food.

I notice that Darwin's did take immediate action--to clarify its position to FDA, but not to clean up its facility or do anything else to mitigate the problem with contaminated foods. It seems to think its only problem is FDA. I say, what about that dead kitten?

I know a lot of folks feed Darwin's successfully, but I have a long history with this company that makes me very unwilling to recommend its products. Its chronically arrogant attitude doesn't help. (Here is my newsletter from about the longstanding problems with Darwin's: Little Big Cat News Alert!)

Here are the foods that tested positive for Salmonella.

1. Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10832
2. Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10856
3. Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10890
4. Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10828
5. Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10844
6. Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10887

Of these, lot #10828 also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

 

[ChristineL]

@Dr. Jean Hofve Thank you so much for the info!

 

[ivegrgas]

Thank you for sharing Dr. Jean. I just recommended Darwin's food (among other) to a colleague and reading your article made me question my recommendation. This colleague has a young dog (2 year old dog from a breeder) who started displaying itching symptoms (to the point of bleeding). First course of treatment recommended by local vet, steroids. After some discussion guardian said that the dog has been on the same "fresh food" diet since he was adopted (same manufacturer, same protein). Guardian didn't think of switching the food since dog is eager to eat and stool is normal.

I will re-emphasize to my colleague to feed a variety of foods. That way the dog will get the benefit of various food sources and will lessen potential adverse effect that may get compounded if sticking to only one source of food.

PS - I am not sure that the raw food that I prepare for my dog would pass FDA scrutiny. Rarely am I able to get protein that was not previously frozen, than I add to it additional prepared vegetables, package it in small plastic containers that are clean but not sterile. Then I re-freeze it. To feed the dog, I only use stainless steel bowls... then we go on a walk, and she eats who knows how old piece of sausage pizza that she found on the street...

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Fortunately, when we make our own pet food, we don't have to pass FDA inspection! But generally we are feeding it fresh, it isn't being mixed, mass-produced, packaged and shipped and stored in a way that bacteria can multiply.

I don't necessarily think Darwin's is a bad product, but I do think their attitude toward pet safety borders on the unethical. To loudly declare the food is completely safe after it killed a kitten is a real problem for me.