On August 25, 2025, Viva Raw LLC voluntarily recalled two lots of dog and cat foods (Lot 21495 and 21975) after routine testing found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses were reported, but the FDA warned handlers to dispose of the product securely and sanitize bowls and surfaces.
Raw pet food carries inherent microbial risk because it skips the high-temperature kill step of kibble extrusion. Recalls are frequent: Answers Pet Food drew an FDA advisory in September 2024, Darwin's Natural Pet Products in June 2023, and Savage Cat Food in March 2025 (tied to H5N1).
Before buying, check the FDA's "Outbreaks and Advisories" page and sign up for brand communications. If you own an affected lot, contact the manufacturer for a refund, throw it out where children, pets, and wildlife cannot reach it, and wash everything that touched it.
If your pet ate a recalled product and shows diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian and mention the raw-food exposure. Pregnant women and immunocompromised people should avoid handling raw pet food directly.
None of this means raw feeding is forbidden — but it does mean treating raw diets with the same food-safety discipline you'd give raw meat for your own family: cold chain, clean prep, and current recall awareness.
