Pet owners across the country are being urged to check their shelves after the FDA announced a recall on certain dog and cat foods. The affected products may carry Salmonella or Listeria, which can cause illness in pets and people handling the food. The company behind the recall is working with officials, but the FDA wants families to stay alert. If you’ve purchased raw pet food recently, it’s worth double-checking the packaging before serving it.
Viva Raw Recalls Two Lots Due to Contamination
Viva Raw has pulled back two lots of its dog and cat food after tests found salmonella and listeria. The recall affects Viva Raw Dog Food in Ground Chicken with Bone and Viva Raw Cat Food in Ground Rabbit. Both were sold in clear plastic packaging, making it easy to spot at home. The company issued the recall voluntarily, so pet owners are encouraged to check their freezers and follow guidance from the FDA.
Salmonella and Listeria Found in Ground Products
Tests confirmed Salmonella and Listeria in two Viva Raw ground products, so the FDA wants pet owners to act with care. The recall includes Ground Chicken with Bone for dogs and Ground Rabbit for cats. Both were sold frozen in clear containers, so families can check labels quickly. The bacteria can make pets sick and may also affect people who handle the food. Anyone who bought these items should stop feeding them right away.
NC Department of Agriculture Discovered Contamination
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture ran routine tests and found Salmonella and Listeria in Viva Raw pet food, so the recall quickly followed. The samples came from unopened packages, which gave officials clear confirmation. The FDA then shared the warning nationwide to make sure pet owners stay aware. Since the products were sold online and shipped to homes, the agency stressed that families across the country should check freezers and take action if needed.
Seven States Received Recalled Pet Food Shipments
Shipments of the recalled Viva Raw products reached customers in seven states, so the alert covers a wide area. Orders went out to California, Colorado, Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. The food was sold online and delivered frozen, so families may still have it stored at home. Since the recall points to specific lots, checking the label and packaging can help pet owners know if their purchase is affected and needs to be thrown away.
Pregnant Women Face Miscarriage Risk from Listeria
The FDA warns that Listeria in the recalled pet food can be dangerous for people, and pregnant women face the highest risk. Infection may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns, so families are urged to handle recalled products with extra care. The bacteria can spread through contact, which means washing hands and cleaning surfaces matters a lot. The FDA just wants people to stay safe while checking their homes for the affected items.
One-Pound Frozen Bricks in Clear Vacuum Packaging
The recalled Viva Raw products were sold as one-pound frozen bricks, so they’re easy to spot in the freezer. Each came sealed in clear vacuum packaging with printed labels, which helps families quickly check if they have the affected lots. The food was distributed online and shipped to homes, so customers across states may still have it stored. Anyone who finds these items is urged to stop feeding them to pets and follow the recall steps.
Lot Numbers 21495 and 21975 Affected Products
The FDA recall points to two specific lot numbers, so pet owners can check packaging right away. Lot 21495 covers Viva Raw Dog Food in Ground Chicken with Bone, and Lot 21975 includes Viva Raw Cat Food in Ground Rabbit. Both were sold in one-pound frozen bricks with clear labels. If those numbers appear on the package, the product is part of the recall. Customers are urged to stop feeding these foods and follow disposal directions.
No Reported Illnesses in Humans or Pets
So far, no illnesses linked to the recalled Viva Raw products have been reported in pets or people. The FDA shared that update to reassure families while still urging caution. Contamination was confirmed in lab tests, but no health cases have been tied to the food. The recall is a preventive step, so customers just need to check the packaging, stop feeding the affected lots, and follow the disposal instructions provided in the recall notice.
What Pet Owners Should Do Now
Check your freezer for Viva Raw Ground Chicken with Bone or Ground Rabbit. Look for lot numbers 21495 and 21975 on the packaging. If you find them, stop feeding the food to your pets right away. The FDA advises throwing the products out safely and washing any surfaces they touched. Take a moment to double-check labels, so you can keep your pets and household safe from possible contamination tied to the recalled shipments.
