Recent voluntary food recalls for dogs, cats, and hedgehogs

Pet food recalls are often initiated as a precautionary measure to address potential contamination risks, ensuring the safety and well-being of pets. These recalls are typically prompted by concerns over bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella or Listeria, or the presence of harmful substances. The FDA recently announced the voluntary recalls of 2 pet food manufacturers: Viva Raw LLC, and Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc.^1,2

Viva Raw

One of the recalled products from Viva Raw. (Photo courtesy of the FDA)

Viva Raw LLC, based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is voluntarily recalling its dog and cat foods, including the Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground, Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked, Viva Turkey for Cats, Viva Pure Turkey, and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies all manufactured under Lot 21244. The 5 products included in this lot are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and pose a potential health risk to people and pets.¹ The contaminated products were discovered during a facility inspection conducted by the FDA and The North Carolina Department of Agriculture after tested samples from Lot 21244 were positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

According to the FDA, Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in pets consuming contaminated products. While Listeria infections in pets are rare, it can cause diarrhea, fever, anorexia, and more severe symptoms. Infected pets can also be asymptomatic carriers, spreading the bacteria through feces and saliva. If your pet has consumed recalled food and shows symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Humans can be exposed through handling contaminated food, contact with affected pets, or touching surfaces like bowls and countertops that have been in contact with the food. The risk of human illness increases if hands and surfaces are not thoroughly cleaned after contact.¹

The products within this lot number were shipped to all 50 states and Viva Raw has contacted all customers who were shipped any Turkey or Beef & Turkey for Puppies products between May 16 and June 28, 2024. As of July 1, 2024, no illnesses related to this lot have been reported.¹

The FDA advises against handling the contaminated food product with bare hands and, instead, use gloves or paper towels to place the contaminated food in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it in the garbage. Any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated product should be thoroughly sanitized.

Vitakraft Sun Seed

Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc, based in Weston, Ohio, has elected to expand its voluntary recall to include the following lots of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food and Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella²:

• 417429
• 406118
• 407265
• 407849
• 409133
• 410999
• 415624
• 419647
• 409175
• 411084
• 412635
• 415713
• 417491

According to the FDA, Salmonella can infect animals that consume the products and pose a risk to humans who handle contaminated pet products. The risk is particularly high if individuals do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with the products or surfaces exposed to them.²

Vitakraft Sun Seed was notified on this contamination on June 18, 2024, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture after an inspection sample of product from Lot Number 417429. The tests which discovered the bacteria were part of random testing performed by the State of Minnesota on consumer products, and not prompted by any consumer concerns.²

Pets infected with Salmonella may exhibit lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may only show signs of decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Healthy pets can be carriers of Salmonella, potentially spreading the infection to other animals and humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and shows these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Humans should also be cautious and monitor for any signs of infection.

Products from these recalled lots were shipped to the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Vitakraft Sun Seed warns customers to discard of products from these affected lots and the company is offering a full refund to customers who purchased hedgehog food from any of these lots.²

References

1. Viva Raw issues voluntary recall of dog and cat food including select Viva Turkey Recipes (Lot 21244) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes health risk to people and pets. News release. Food and Drug Administration. July 1, 2024. Accessed July 3, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/viva-raw-issues-voluntary-recall-dog-and-cat-food-including-select-viva-turkey-recipes-lot-21244-due?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
2. Vitakraft Sun Seed recall of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food due to possible Salmonella health risk. News release. Food and Drug Administration. July 1, 2024. Accessed July 3, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vitakraft-sun-seed-recall-sun-seed-vita-prima-hedgehog-food-due-possible-salmonella-health-risk-0