Several Pet Foods Recalled Nationwide Due To Bacteria Contamination

Viva Raw, an online pet food subscription company, has issued a nationwide recall for five dog and cat food products due to listeria contamination.

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The FDA released a statement on July 1st warning consumers that Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground, Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked, Viva Turkey for Cats, Viva Pure Turkey, and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies were exposed to the bacteria and could pose a “potential health risk to people and pets.”

All the products were manufactured under Lot 21244 and sold to subscribers throughout the U.S. between May 16th and June 28, 2024. The recalled pet foods shipped frozen in one-pound bricks. The packaging was clear and did not show an expiration date.

Fortunately, customers have not reported any illnesses as of yet. However, the FDA warns that listeria can be “serious and sometimes fatal” for pets. And humans may fall ill after handling the cat and dog foods or by “not thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces.”

People with a listeria infection may experience “nausea, vomiting, aches, fever, and diarrhea,” according to the statement. Those who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system could experience more severe symptoms. Young children and the elderly are also more at risk of serious illness.

Infections in pets are rare. However, owners should watch for the symptoms above as well as nervousness, muscular issues, and respiratory struggles.

“Infected pets, even if they do not show symptoms, can act as carriers and transfer L. monocytogenes …into the home environment and to people and other pets in the household,” the statement adds. “If your pet has eaten the recalled product(s) and has symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection, please contact your veterinarian.”

If you purchased the recalled pet foods, you can contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a full refund.

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