Viva Raw, LLC has announced a voluntary recall of select lots of its raw dog and cat food products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects specific Viva Raw Dog Food and cat food products manufactured under Lot 21244, and the company is urging pet owners to take immediate action to protect both their pets and themselves.
On July 1, 2024, Viva Raw issued a recall for several raw pet food products after testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products include Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground, Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked, Viva Turkey for Cats, Viva Pure Turkey, and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies, all from Lot 21244. These products were distributed directly to consumers across all fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Image: Label example for Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies raw dog food, part of the Lot 21244 recall.
Understanding the Risks of Listeria Monocytogenes in Raw Pet Food
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious infection in both animals and humans. While Listeria infections in pets are rare, they can be severe. Symptoms in pets may include diarrhea, fever, anorexia, and in more serious cases, neurological signs, respiratory distress, or even miscarriage and death. Even pets that don’t show symptoms can still carry Listeria and spread it through their feces and saliva, posing a risk to the household environment and other animals and humans.
For humans, handling contaminated pet food, touching surfaces that have come into contact with it, or interacting with pets that have consumed contaminated food can lead to infection. Healthy adults may experience nausea, vomiting, fever, aches, and diarrhea. However, Listeria infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, potentially leading to severe complications like meningitis or miscarriage.
Image: Product label example for Viva Turkey for Cats raw cat food, included in the Viva Raw Lot 21244 recall.
Which Viva Raw Dog Food Products Are Recalled?
The recall is specific to products from Lot 21244. Here is a detailed list of the recalled Viva Raw dog food and cat food products:
| PRODUCT: | LOT# |
|---|---|
| Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground | 21244 |
| Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked | 21244 |
| Viva Turkey for Cats | 21244 |
| Viva Pure Turkey | 21244 |
| Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies | 21244 |
These products are packaged as frozen 1 lb bricks in clear vacuum packaging. It’s important to note that there are no expiration dates printed on these products, so consumers should check the lot number to determine if they have purchased recalled Viva raw dog food or cat food. The affected products were shipped to customers between May 16th and June 28th, 2024.
Image: Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground raw dog food label example, part of the recalled Lot 21244 from Viva Raw.
What to Do If You Have Recalled Viva Raw Pet Food
If you have purchased any Viva Raw dog food or cat food products, immediately check the lot number. If you find products with Lot 21244, follow these crucial steps:
- Stop Feeding Immediately: Do not feed the recalled product to your pets or any other animals.
- Contact Viva Raw for a Refund: Email Viva Raw at [email protected] to arrange a refund for any remaining recalled product.
- Safely Dispose of the Food: Destroy the recalled food in a way that prevents access by children, pets, and wildlife. The FDA recommends using gloves or paper towels to handle the food. Place it in a sealed plastic bag and discard it in the garbage.
- Sanitize Contaminated Areas: Thoroughly sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled food, including food bowls, utensils, countertops, and storage areas.
- Monitor Your Pet and Yourself: If your pet has eaten the recalled food and is showing symptoms of Listeria infection (diarrhea, fever, lethargy), contact your veterinarian. If you experience symptoms of Listeria infection after handling the recalled product or being in contact with a pet that consumed it, contact your healthcare provider.
This recall was initiated after an FDA and North Carolina Department of Agriculture inspection discovered Listeria monocytogenes in samples of Viva Turkey for Dogs from Lot 21244. While Viva Raw intended to destroy all products from this lot, some were inadvertently released. No illnesses related to this recall have been reported so far, but it is essential to take these precautions to prevent potential health risks.
For any questions or concerns, consumers can contact Viva Raw directly via email at [email protected] or by phone/text at (919) 371-8882, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST.
