Popular raw pet food company, Viva Raw LLC, voluntarily recalled some of its dog and cat food products on July 1st, 2024. The recalled products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can be harmful to both humans and animals. If you feed your dog or cat this food, check the lot code to make sure your products aren't affected by the recall.
This recall occurred after the FDA and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) conducted a facility inspection and found that samples from the lot tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Which Products Were Recalled?
Viva Raw LLC recalled the following products, all of which have the lot code 21244:
Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground
Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked
Viva Turkey for Cats
Viva Pure Turkey
Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies
These products come in frozen one-pound bricks. The packaging is clear and vacuum sealed. They don't have an expiration date listed.
The recalled products were sent directly to customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The products were shipped to customers from May 16th to June 28th, 2024. No other products are currently affected by this recall.
Dangers of Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacteria that can harm both people and pets when present in pet food. Pets could display a variety of symptoms when exposed to this bacteria, including diarrhea, fever, anorexia, or issues with the nervous system and respiratory system. Even if a pet doesn't show symptoms, they can still pass the bacteria to humans and other animals.
Humans infected with Listeria monocytogenes could also experience a wide range of symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, aches, and fever. In extreme cases, it could spread to the nervous system and cause severe illnesses. Pregnant people and elderly people are the most susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes.
If you or your pet displays any unusual symptoms after coming into contact with this food, seek medical attention right away. If your pet ate a recalled product, it's a good idea to visit the vet even if they're not showing symptoms.
Luckily, no illnesses have been reported due to this recall so far.
What to Do with the Recalled Products
Customers who were sent the recalled products have been notified. If you have one of these products, stop feeding it to your pet right away. Dispose of the recalled food by putting it in a sealed plastic bag before throwing it in the garbage. Always wear gloves when handling the recalled food.
Sanitize any surfaces that the recalled food came into contact with, such as counters, bowls, and storage containers.
You can contact Viva Raw LLC to get a full refund and to ask questions about the recall. You can email them at info@vivarawpets.com or call/text them at 919-371-8882 (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST).
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