Nature's Variety: Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Pet Food Recalled for Salmonella Risk

Agency Publication Date: January 22, 2016

Summary

Nature's Variety is recalling 6,996 units of Instinct Raw Chicken Formula pet food because the product tested positive for Salmonella. The recall includes various sizes of Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites (4 lb. and 7 lb. bags) and Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties (6 lb. bags). These products were distributed nationwide in the United States and Canada. Consumers should return any affected product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Risk

The product is contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness in pets and can also be transmitted to humans who handle the food or touch contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of infection in humans include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.

What You Should Do

Check your freezer and pantry for Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites (4 lb. or 7 lb. bags) and Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties (6 lb. bags) with a 'Best By' date of 04/27/16.
Verify the UPC codes on the packaging: Bites 4 lb. (UPC 7 6994961143 1), Bites 7 lb. (UPC 7 69949 61144 8), or Patties 6 lb. (UPC 7 6994961148 6).
Stop feeding the affected product to your pets immediately and handle the packaging with care to avoid cross-contamination.
Return the product to the retail store where it was purchased for a full refund or contact the manufacturer for further instructions.
Thoroughly clean and sanitize any pet bowls, utensils, or storage containers that came into contact with the recalled food.
For additional questions, contact the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your state or call the FDA at 1-888-463-6332.

Your Remedy Options

Full Refund

Full refund upon return

How to: Return to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact the manufacturer for further instructions

Affected Products

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites Nutrition for Dogs (4 lb.)

Model:

V-267-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611431

769949711438

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites Nutrition for Dogs (7 lb.)

Model:

V-267-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611448

769949711445

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties Nutrition for Dogs (6 lb.)

Model:

V-268-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611486

769949711483

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16

Additional Information

Agency: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Event ID: 71789

Status: Resolved

Manufacturer: Nature's Variety

Sold By: retailers nationwide

Manufactured In: United States

Units Affected: 2 products (3,978 - 4 lb. bags and 2,040 - 7 lb. bags; 3,018 - 6 lb. bags)

Distributed To: Nationwide

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: FDA iRES · Raw API Response

Summary

What You Should Do

Check your freezer and pantry for Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites (4 lb. or 7 lb. bags) and Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties (6 lb. bags) with a 'Best By' date of 04/27/16.

Verify the UPC codes on the packaging: Bites 4 lb. (UPC 7 6994961143 1), Bites 7 lb. (UPC 7 69949 61144 8), or Patties 6 lb. (UPC 7 6994961148 6).

Stop feeding the affected product to your pets immediately and handle the packaging with care to avoid cross-contamination.

Return the product to the retail store where it was purchased for a full refund or contact the manufacturer for further instructions.

Thoroughly clean and sanitize any pet bowls, utensils, or storage containers that came into contact with the recalled food.

For additional questions, contact the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your state or call the FDA at 1-888-463-6332.

Affected Products

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites Nutrition for Dogs (4 lb.)

Model:

V-267-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611431

769949711438

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites Nutrition for Dogs (7 lb.)

Model:

V-267-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611448

769949711445

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16

Product: Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties Nutrition for Dogs (6 lb.)

Model:

V-268-2016

UPC Codes:

769949611486

769949711483

Date Ranges: Best By 04/27/16