BALTIMORE, MD—Viva Raw LLC, a Charlotte-based pet food company, has issued a voluntary recall of two lots of its raw dog and cat food products due to potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced this week.
The recall involves Lot 21495, which includes Viva Ground Beef for Dogs and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies, and Lot 21975, encompassing Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chicken for Cats, and Viva Pure Chicken. The products were distributed nationwide between July 2 and Aug. 21, 2025, through direct-to-consumer sales and select retailers in New York, Illinois, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, California, and Arizona.
The contamination was identified during routine testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, which detected Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in samples from the affected lots. No illnesses in pets or humans have been reported in connection with these products, according to Viva Raw.
Salmonella and Listeria can pose significant health risks to both animals and humans. Pets consuming contaminated food may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or decreased appetite. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can act as carriers, potentially spreading the bacteria to other animals or humans. Humans handling the products without thorough handwashing or sanitizing surfaces may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or fever. In rare cases, these infections can lead to severe conditions, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, or miscarriage in pregnant women.
“Given the sample results, we have launched a thorough investigation into our product testing, sanitation procedures, and pathogen intervention,” Viva Raw stated on its website. The company is also exploring additional technologies to enhance safety measures.
The recalled products are sold as frozen 1-pound bricks in clear vacuum packaging, with lot numbers printed on the top. Consumers who have purchased products from Lot 21495 or Lot 21975 are urged to contact Viva Raw at [email protected] or (919) 371-8882 for a refund. The FDA advises disposing of the food in a secure manner to prevent access by children, pets, or wildlife and thoroughly sanitizing any surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with the products.
Pet owners are encouraged to monitor their animals for symptoms and consult a veterinarian if signs of illness appear. Humans who have handled the recalled products should watch for symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection for up to 70 days and seek medical attention if necessary.
The recall follows other recent pet food safety concerns, including a Blue Ridge Beef recall in April for similar Salmonella and Listeria issues. Viva Raw emphasized that only the specified lots are affected, and no other product lines are included in the recall.
For more information, visit the FDA’s recall page at https://www.fda.gov or contact Viva Raw directly.
