Dear Valued Customers:

On Thursday, Stella & Chewy’s was notified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) that it issued a stop sale order on a single lot of Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties for Dogs, 15 oz. bags (Lot # 111-15) because MDA detected Listeria monocytogenes in the product. There were no reported pet or human illnesses associated with this recall. Since learning this news, we have been working quickly to review the situation to find answers to the important questions on our customers’ minds. As a precautionary measure, we are voluntarily recalling all products from Lot # 111-15 which are listed below.

Furthermore, while they have not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, in an abundance of caution, we are also voluntarily recalling a number of products that may have been exposed to the affected lot (please see the second chart below). The health and safety of our customers and their pets is always of the utmost importance to us. We are accountable for every dinner and treat we make and recognize that we have an important obligation to provide customers with the quality products they deserve and have come to expect from us over the years. Please see below for additional details about our recall actions and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jen Guzman

Chief Executive Officer

QUESTIONS

What products and lot numbers are being voluntarily recalled by Stella & Chewy’s?

As a precautionary measure, we are voluntarily recalling all products from Lot # 111-15 including:

Product Description/Size/UPC/Lot #/Use By Date

Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinner for Dogs /15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016

Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinner for Dogs /15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/26/2016

Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/29/2016

Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016

Carnivore Crunch – Turkey Recipe/3.25oz/UPC: 186011001103/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016 and 5/4/2016

Frozen Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels for Dogs/4lb/UPC: 186011001394/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Morsels for Dogs/4lb/UPC: 186011001387/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Frozen Surf ‘N Turf Dinner Patties for Dogs/6lb/UPC: 186011000533/Lot: 111-15  and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties for Dogs/6lb/UPC: 186011000120/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties for Dogs/3lb/UPC: 186011000038/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Moreover, while the below listed product has not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, in an abundance of caution, we are also recalling the following products which may have come into contact with the affected lot:

Product Description/Size/UPC/Lot #/Use By Date

Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 104-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016

Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 109-15 and Use By Date: 4/29/2016

Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/18oz/UPC: 186011000229/Lot: 105-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016

Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/18oz/UPC: 186011000229/Lot: 113-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016

Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/9oz/UPC: 186011000205/Lot: 105-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016

Carnivore Crunch – Chicken Recipe/3.25oz/UPC: 186011001080/Lot: 110-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016

Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinners for Dogs/15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 114-15 and Use By Date: 4/26/2016

Freeze-Dried Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000663/Lot: 114-15 and Use By Date: 5/4/2016

Freeze-Dried Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000663/Lot: 115-15 and Use By Date: 5/4/2016

Freeze-Dried Salmon & Chicken Dinner for Cats/12 oz/UPC: 186011000403/Lot: 107-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016

Q:        Why were the products recalled?

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in a package of product during surveillance testing by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. As an extra precautionary measure, we chose to expand the recall list to include products that may have been exposed to the affected lot.

Q:        Where are the products sold?

The products included on the recall list above were sold throughout the U.S. to wholesale distributors and retail stores for resale to consumers. The recalled products were not made available in Canada. The best way to determine if you have a product included in the recall is to compare the product description and bag size located on the front of the bag, and the UPC #, the lot code, and use by date located on the back of the bag, with the two charts provided above.

Q:        What is Listeria and what are the symptoms?

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Animals that become ill with Listeriacould display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans.

Q:        What should I do if I believe my pet has been exposed Listeria?

Your pet’s health is one of our highest priorities so we strongly encourage you to have your pet examined and treated by a veterinarian to determine the cause of the symptoms. We’d also like to speak with you further and learn more about what your pet is experiencing and discuss how we might be able to help. Please contact our Customer Service team in Wisconsin at info@stellaandchewys.com or 888-477-8977.

Q:        Does High Pressure Processing (HPP) eliminate the risk of Listeria?

Yes, scientific studies show that HPP inactivates Listeria. We’re in the process of working with a third-party expert to identify how the organism had entered our post-HPP production area.

Q:        What is Stella & Chewy’s doing to correct the situation?

As a precautionary measure, we have issued a voluntary recall of the entire affected lot as well as additional product that could have been exposed to the affected lot, and we are working collaboratively with the FDA to further investigate and address the situation. Furthermore, we’re in the process of working with a third-party expert to conduct a root cause analysis and identify how the organism had entered our post-HPP production area.

Q:        Does Stella & Chewy’s test for Listeria?

Because Listeria monocytogenes is considered an environmental pathogen, we conduct environmental testing which is the recommended method for identification in the post-HPP production environment.

Q:        How did the Listeria contamination occur?

Listeria monocytogenes is widespread and ubiquitous in the environment in which we live. It can be isolated readily from healthy domestic pets where it rarely causes illness. Additionally, it can be found in many food processing environments and the home. The organism is found in a wide variety of raw agricultural products including lettuce, spinach, fresh vegetables, fruits, raw meat, poultry and fish. We’re in the process of working with a third party expert to identify how the organism had entered our post-HPP production area.

Q:          Can I feed my pet the food that is NOT on the recall list?

We have no reason to believe any product other than what has already been voluntarily recalled is affected; the production area is cleaned and sanitized nightly. As soon as were made aware of the positive sample, we began an investigation which included additional intensified testing to ensure Listeria isn’t present in the post-HPP production facility. However, Stella & Chewy’s has an unwavering commitment to stand behind our products. If customers feel any hesitancy in feeding our food, please visit your retailer for a full refund of the purchase price.

Q:        Who do I contact if I have further questions or concerns?

For any inquiries, you may contact us at info@stellaandchewys.com or 888-477-8977.