Pet food recall: Don't feed these brands to your pets

Federal authorities are warning pet owners not to feed their dogs and cats certain products from two different brands after testing found evidence of contamination.

The brands, Answers Pet Food and Darwin's Natural Pet Products, both tested positive for the presence of salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause illness in pets and humans who handle the food, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While Answers Pet Food voluntarily recalled three products "out of an abundance of caution," Darwin's Natural Pet Products has declined FDA recommendations to recall the products.

"Darwin's is confident our meals are safe. As we've also shared with our customers, we commissioned independent, third-party testing using conventional methods, which found that all lots tested negative for listeria. The testing found small trace amounts of salmonella, which is inherent to poultry," Gary Tashjian, CEO and founder of Darwin's Natural Pet Products, said in a statement shared with multiple outlets.

"We specifically communicated with customers who had already received product lots that were included in the FDA's notice — about 3% of our customers nationwide. Only a limited amount of product had left our facilities, and the lots are not currently in distribution," the statement said.

No illnesses associated with products from either brand have been confirmed.

The recall from Answers Pet Food includes:
• Answers Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs, Lot Code: BUBD May 6, 2026
• Answers Straight Beef Formula for Dogs, Lot Code: BUBD Jan. 31, 2026
• Answers Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs, Lot Code: BUBD Jan. 2, 2026 and BUBD Mar. 11, 2026

The products, sold in 4-pound half-gallon cartons, were distributed throughout the country in retail stores and direct online sales.

FDA guidelines recommend any product from the listed lots that has not yet been consumed should be thrown out or destroyed in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access it. Areas that may have come in contact with any contaminated food should be sanitized.

Meantime, the FDA says affected varieties and lot codes from Darwin's include:
• Darwin's Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats
Lot No: 10832 MFG. Date: Jul 25, 2024
Lot No: 10856 MFG. Date: Aug 04, 2024
Lot No: 10890 MFG. Date: Aug 13, 2024
• Darwin's Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs
Lot No: 10828 MFG. Date: Jul 24, 2024
Lot No: 10844 MFG. Date: Jul 30, 2024
Lot No: 10887 MFG. Date: Aug 12, 2024

Affected products, in frozen 2-pound packages, were sold online through a subscription service.

Because the company has not issued a recall, the FDA recommends consumers keep checking Darwin's products for the affected lot numbers prior to feeding to pets. Any product from the listed lots that has not yet been consumed should be thrown out or destroyed.

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products as well as humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Listeria monocytogenes rarely causes illness in dogs, but it is possible. Dogs can have mild symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Even if a dog is not showing symptoms, it can still be a carrier of the bacteria and spread it to humans.

People can become sick by handling contaminated food or touching surfaces that have been exposed to Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms in humans may include fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to listeria infections and symptoms can be more severe.

Individuals handling pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to a contaminated product.

There are thousands of species of salmonella, and less than a handful are harmful to pets or humans. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems may be at greater risk of salmonella infection.

Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may only exhibit decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms after having contact with potentially contaminated products should contact a healthcare provider.

If your pet has consumed these products and has symptoms, contact a veterinarian.