The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a company’s voluntary recall of batches of both cat and dog food after random sample testing revealed the presence of salmonella and listeria.
Viva Raw, a company that makes USDA-approved raw pet food for cats and dogs, confirmed the voluntary recall in a statement published on the company’s website. Three duck recipe products have been recalled: Viva Duck for Dogs (ground), Viva Duck for Dogs (chunked) and Viva Pure Duck (for cats and dogs). Newsweek has reached out to Viva Raw for comment via email.
The affected products originate from Lot 22853, which was first shipped on October 24, 2023, with the last portion of this lot distributed on December 6, 2023. Sold in the form of frozen 1-pound bricks of the food shown in clear vacuum packaging, this particular lot was sent to more than 1,500 customers. At the time of writing, Viva Raw said it had received only one complaint related to the lot.
In a letter to customers, Viva Raw co-founders Jenn Wu and Zach Ao said: “Your pet’s health has always been Viva’s #1 priority and we are always committed to making safe and transparent pet food pet. We started this company to revolutionize the industry and make the best pet food available.”
The co-founders added: “We have conducted a detailed root cause analysis at our USDA facility to ensure we continue to exceed the highest food safety standards in the industry and continue to push the boundaries for how made safe, fresh pet food.”
Anyone with products from the lot is asked to complete an online response form. Viva will then be in touch to issue a full refund. The company is also asking affected customers to ensure they destroy food “in a manner inaccessible to children, pets and wildlife.”
“Make sure you do not touch the contaminated food product with your hands. While wearing gloves or using paper towels, place the contaminated food in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash,” the company said. “You will then need to sanitize your kitchen and any other areas that may have come in contact with the contaminated product.”
Anyone concerned that their pet may be infected with salmonella or listeria should be aware of the main symptoms, which include lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea.
In some cases, pets may show signs of loss of appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Not all pets infected with either will show symptoms but may pose a risk as carriers capable of infecting other animals or humans. Anyone with a pet that has eaten the recalled pet food should contact their veterinarian if they have any concerns.
Although salmonella and listeria monocytogenes are capable of directly affecting animals that eat the products, they also pose a risk to humans who handle them. Anyone who is concerned that they may be infected with salmonella should watch out for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, stomach cramping and fever.
In rare cases, salmonella can result in more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Anyone experiencing signs of any of these conditions after handling the product is advised to contact their healthcare provider.
The simplest and most effective way for pet owners to ensure they do not become infected is by washing their hands thoroughly after handling pet products and disinfecting any surfaces they are exposed to.
SharafMaksumov/Getty
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
