Viva Raw has announced a voluntary recall of specific pet food products. This decision comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered salmonella and listeria in random sample testing of the company’s cat and dog food. The recall is a precautionary measure to prevent potential risks to both animal and human health.
Which Viva dog food has been recalled? What are the risks to dogs and people?
The Viva dog food recall specifically targets three duck recipe products. These include Viva Duck for Dogs (ground), Viva Duck for Dogs (chunked), and Viva Pure Duck (for both cats and dogs), all part of Lot 22853. This lot first made its way to customers on Oct. 24, 2023, with distributions continuing until Dec. 6, 2023 — per Newsweek. These products are sold as frozen 1-pound bricks, vacuum-sealed in clear packaging, and have reached over 1,500 customers. To date, there has been only one complaint related to this batch, Viva said.
Salmonella and listeria monocytogenes — the bacteria identified in the recalled products — pose significant health risks. For dogs, the symptoms can range from lethargy and fever to more severe conditions like vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and the potential to become carriers infecting other animals or humans.
People handling contaminated food products without proper precautions could also be at risk. Symptoms in humans can include nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. In rare cases, they can lead to more severe health issues such as arterial infections and endocarditis.
Following the recall, Viva Raw’s co-founders wrote a letter to their customers. “The health of your pet has always been Viva’s #1 priority and we have always been committed to making safe & transparent pet food,” they wrote. “We have conducted a detailed root-cause analysis in our USDA facility to ensure we continue to exceed the highest industry food safety standards & will continue to push the boundaries for how safe, fresh pet food is made.”
