A North Carolina-based pet food manufacturer has issued a voluntary recall of several raw dog and cat food products following the detection of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, prompting a nationwide health alert for pet owners and retailers. The recall, announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), applies to two production lots of frozen raw pet food produced by Viva Raw LLC, headquartered in Charlotte.
The affected products include Viva Ground Beef for Dogs and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies from lot number 21495, as well as Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chicken for Cats, and Viva Pure Chicken from lot number 21975. These items were distributed between July 2 and August 21 in one-pound vacuum-sealed packages, sold directly to consumers and through retail partners across multiple U.S. states, including California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Kansas, South Carolina and Arizona.
Routine product sampling conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services identified the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in the tested food. While no reports of illness in pets or humans have been confirmed, the FDA and public health agencies have warned that both pathogens pose serious health risks. The FDA is advising consumers who purchased any of the recalled products to avoid handling or feeding them and to follow proper disposal procedures.
FDA confirms salmonella and listeria in Viva Raw pet food
Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes are known to cause illness in animals and humans. Pets infected with Salmonella may exhibit symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and decreased appetite. Listeria infections may cause similar gastrointestinal symptoms and can result in more severe outcomes in young, elderly, or immunocompromised animals. Humans are also at risk, particularly when handling contaminated pet food or through contact with infected animals.
The bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms, abdominal cramps, and more serious conditions such as sepsis or miscarriage in vulnerable populations. The FDA urged consumers to wash and disinfect pet food bowls, utensils, and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products. People handling the affected items should also thoroughly wash their hands. Viva Raw has asked all customers in possession of the recalled lots to discard them in a secure manner, ensuring they are not accessible to pets, children, or wildlife.
Who should contact Viva Raw for refunds and how
Viva Raw is offering full refunds for the recalled products. Affected customers are being instructed to contact the company via email at or by phone at (919) 371-8882, available Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The FDA continues to monitor the situation and is working in coordination with state agriculture departments to ensure that recalled products are removed from distribution. There have been no enforcement actions or additional recalls issued beyond the identified lots as of the latest update.
The FDA also reiterated its long-standing guidance regarding raw pet food diets, cautioning that raw animal products carry a higher risk of contamination. It recommends strict hygiene and handling procedures to minimize exposure to food-borne pathogens. Retailers and distributors have been directed to identify and remove affected inventory from their supply chains. Consumers are encouraged to review any pet food in their freezers or storage and to verify lot numbers listed in the recall. This recall adds to a series of food safety actions involving raw pet food in recent years. – By Content Syndication Services.