You may have seen the recent December 24th news linking Avian Influenza and pet illness to a frozen raw food product manufactured by Morasch Meats, a Portland-based pet food company.
Although Stella & Chewy's is not affiliated with the above-mentioned company, our Pet Parents have been inquiring about the news and want to know more about our products and processes and if our products are affected.
First and foremost, we want you to know that no Stella & Chewy's products are affected and inquiries within our supply chain show no raw materials are implicated in the recall.
At Stella & Chewy’s, we know your pets are part of the family. That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring your pets receive safe and nutritious frozen and freeze-dried foods.
- We have reviewed our food safety processes for Avian Influenza control for not only poultry but also red meat (beef) diets due to current transference of virus from birds to dairy cattle.
- Our USDA and APHIS regulatory agencies have provided guidance and controls for Avian influenza-exposed poultry and dairy cattle.
- Our supplier partners are subject to regulatory controls and inspections designed to prevent sick livestock from entering food production.
- Stella & Chewy’s verified that our routine food safety process of High-Pressure Processing for frozen and freeze-dried foods is effective at inactivating the Avian Influenza virus.
- Our HPP cycles are run using a higher pounds of pressure per square inch and a longer cycle time than current research indicates effectively inactivates this virus.
We understand that we have a responsibility to you and your pets, and we remain committed to meeting those food safety expectations as your trusted brand.
Stella and Chewy's maintains industry-leading Food Safety Systems and scored 96 on our SQF Food Safety Audit in November. SQF is a world-recognized global food safety initiative and approved Quality and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) used by many Fortune 500 food companies.
If you would like to know more, please contact our Pet Parent Support Team.