Dog Food Recalled Nationwide as FDA Warning Issued to Pet Owners

Dog and cat food lots are being recalled nationwide due to possible contamination with salmonella and listeria monocytogenes, regulators announced on Monday.

Viva Raw, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is voluntarily recalling: Lot 21495 (Viva Ground Beef for Dogs; Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies) and lot 21975 (Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chicken for Cats; Viva Pure Chicken).

“Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products,” the company said in a recall notice on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

The company said the products were distributed direct to customers nationwide, and to retailers in seven states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, New York and South Carolina.

Newsweek contacted Viva Raw via general email outside of normal office hours on Tuesday.

Why It Matters

Pregnant women are especially susceptible to listeria infection, which can result in miscarriage.

Salmonella or listeria infections can, on rare occasions, result in arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

They can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Pets with salmonella or listeria infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain.

What to Know

The product is distributed as frozen 1-pound bricks in clear vacuum packaging. The lot number can be found printed at the top of the packaging.

No illnesses in dogs, cats, or humans related to these lots have been reported as of Monday, the alert said.

The potential for contamination was discovered during routine testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

Customers who purchased the affected lots are urged to:

• dispose of the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access
• not to sell or donate the recalled products
• not to feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals
• To wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers
• And to always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food

What Happens Next

Consumers showing symptoms after being near this product should contact their healthcare providers. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has consumed the recalled product and has symptoms.

Customers who purchased the affected lots can contact Viva Raw at [email protected] for a refund on any remaining product, and for questions.

Or call/text at (919) 371-8882 between 9 a.m.—5 p.m. ET Monday to Friday.