FDA issues warning about Answers pet food after reported pet illnesses; company refuses to recall products

The FDA has issued a warning to pet owners who feed their animals Answers brand food. The food has tested positive for Listeria and Salmonella and is a danger to pets and their owners.

The manufacturer, Lystn LLC, has not issued a recall, despite the Food and Drug Administration’s testing and warning. The FDA tested unopened retail samples of the products after complaints about illnesses in dogs who ate the food. The pet food is sold at retailers nationwide and online.

“The FDA recommended that Answers Pet Food recall these products. To date, the firm has not initiated an adequate recall of the affected products,” according to the FDA warning.

“If consumers have any pet food on the list below, they are advised to throw it away in a secure container. Do not feed it to your pets. Do not donate the food.”

There is concern that consumers may have the products in their homes because the best-by dates run into 2026.

In a 2019 lawsuit against the FDA and several Colorado officials, Lystn LLC claimed the intolerance for Salmonella in its products was “gobbledygook” and said some Salmonella should be allowed in its products. The lawsuit came after findings in 2018 that the company’s pet food was contaminated with Salmonella. In that situation Lystn initiated a limited recall.

Contaminated pet food is a danger to people and their pets because handling the food can spread bacteria. It can also cross contaminate surfaces and utensils. The FDA recommends that pet owners who have used the implicated pet foods clean and disinfect all pet supplies and surfaces that the food or pets had contact with.

The affected products are sold frozen in 4-pound (half-gallon) cartons and consist of certain batches of Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs, Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs, and Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs. These products should not be fed to pets.

Product Information

Answers Pet Food does not use lot codes. However, affected products can be identified by a “Best Used By Date” (BUBD) sticker on the product carton. If you no longer have the packaging or can’t read the Best Used By Date, throw the food away. For photos of products included in the warning go here.

The affected pet food consists of 4-pound (half-gallon) cartons of:

• Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs
  • UPC/bar code number: 856554002102
  • BUBD: May 06 2026
• Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs
  • UPC/bar code number: 856554002072
  • BUBD: Jan 31 2026
• Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs
  • UPC/bar code number: 856554002065
  • BUBD: Jan 02 2026
• Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs
  • UPC/bar code number: 856554002065
  • BUBD: Mar 11 2026

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has handled the implicated pet foods listed above and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has handled the products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has handled any of the pet foods listed above and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/09/fda-issues-warning-about-answers-pet-food-after-reported-illnesses-company-refuses-to-recall-products/