No illnesses have been reported so far; consumers should discard recalled products safely, sanitize surfaces and utensils, and contact Viva Raw for a refund.
If you feed your pet raw food, check your freezer. Viva Raw of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling two lots of dog and cat food due to salmonella and listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The recalled products include:
The products were distributed between July 2 and August 21 and sold directly to consumers nationwide as well as to a small number of select retailers in New York, Illinois, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, California, and Arizona. The food is sold in frozen 1-pound bricks in clear vacuum-sealed packaging with the lot number printed on the top of the packaging.
According to the FDA, salmonella and listeria can negatively affect animals who consume contaminated food. Pets with infections caused by either of these bacteria may be lethargic, have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and a fever, and experience vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has any of these symptoms, contact your vet.
There's also a risk to humans who handle the contaminated products, especially if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to the raw pet food.
Healthy people infected with salmonella or listeria should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever, per the FDA. Salmonella or listeria infections can, on rare occasions, result in arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.
It can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, adults aged 65 or older, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Infected pregnant women may experience mild, flu-like symptoms, with some infections leading to premature delivery and stillbirths, the agency warns. If you are exhibiting any symptoms after handling these products, contact your healthcare provider.
So far, no illnesses in dogs, cats, or humans related to these products have been reported. If you have any of the recalled products, contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a refund on any remaining product, then dispose of the food. Make sure children, pets, and wildlife cannot access the discarded items.
Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers, and wash and sanitize your hands after handling any recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with it. If you have any questions, call or text Viva Raw at 919-371-8882, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday.