FDA Announces Recall of Dog, Cat Food - Humans Could Be At Risk, Too
A well-known pet food company has recalled two lots of cat and dog food due to salmonella and listeria risks--and the FDA says humans should be careful as well.
Viva Raw, which is based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, announced the voluntary recall on Monday. Two lots of food are impacted: 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).
The products were sold between July 2, 2025 and August 21, 2025, either to consumers nationwide or to retailers in seven states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, New York and South Carolina.
Why humans are also affected by this recall
While the recall obviously impacts cats and dogs the most, humans could contract salmonella or listeria through contaminated pet food, the FDA says.
"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 FDA release states.
Both pets and humans affected by salmonella or listeria can exhibit similar symptoms, including fever, lethargy, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. The bacteria can be more dangerous to pregnant women, as well as the young, elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
The good news? As of now, no illnesses have been reported in animals or humans because of these Viva products. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture found the reported risks during routine testing.
What to do if you have these food products
If you purchased one of the recalled lots of cat and dog food, the FDA asks you to contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a refund.
The organization also recommends disposing any remaining product " in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access."
"Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals," the FDA said. "Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food."