Dog, cat food recall sparks nationwide warning to pet owners

A nationwide recall has been issued by online pet food subscription site Viva Raw for several of its products over the risk of bacteria contamination.

The Hillsborough, North Carolina, company is recalling five products manufactured under the same lot that was exposed to Listeria monocytogenes, which, according to a release published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can pose a “potential health risk to people and pets.”

The products under the recall include Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground, Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked, Viva Turkey for Cats, Viva Pure Turkey and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies. The products were all manufactured under Lot 21244.

According to the release, the recalled products were distributed to customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Viva Raw is an online service that ships fresh dog and cat food to customers on a scheduled subscription plan, read the company’s website.

The presence of listeria was identified after the FDA conducted sample testing on the product Viva Turkey for Dogs. Samples from Lot 21244 were found positive for the bacteria. The company said that all products produced from the same lot “were slated for destruction” but that some items were “inadvertently released from the warehouse” to customers.

“Viva Raw is notifying all customers who were shipped any Turkey or Beef & Turkey for Puppies products between May 16th and June 28th, 2024,” read the release. “No illnesses related to this lot have been reported to date.”

The products under the recall are shipped as frozen, one-pound bricks in a clear package. There is no expiration date listed on the packaging.

The FDA release said that listeria can cause “serious and sometimes fatal infections” in pets that eat the contaminated products. Humans can also be exposed to listeria by handling the contaminated products or coming in contact with pets that have consumed items under the recall. There is a higher risk of illness in humans if people do not “thoroughly wash their hands after handling the food or having contact with their pet, or by not thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces,” read the briefing.

Symptoms of a listeria infection in humans can include nausea, vomiting, aches, fever and diarrhea. Pregnant women are also more susceptible to the infection and the bacteria can cause a miscarriage. Younger people, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system are also at a higher risk of infection, according to the FDA release.

Pet illnesses from a listeria infection are rare. Animals may show symptoms from mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervousness, muscular and respiratory issues, miscarriage, depression, shock and, in extreme instances, death.

“Pets exposed to contaminated food can be infected without showing symptoms. Infected pets, even if they do not show symptoms, can act as carriers and transfer L. monocytogenes through their feces and saliva into the home environment and to people and other pets in the household,” read the release. “If your pet has eaten the recalled product(s) and has symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection, please contact your veterinarian.”

Any customers who have purchased products under the recall are encouraged to contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a refund. Customers are then advised to destroy the products to ensure that children, pets and wildlife cannot access the food.

“FDA recommends humans do not touch the contaminated food product with bare hands,” read the release. “While wearing gloves or using paper towels, place the contaminated food in a sealed plastic bag and throw it in the garbage. Areas that may have come in contact with the contaminated product should be sanitized. Do not sell or donate the recalled products.”