Recalled Viva Raw pet food poses risk to animals and humans

Viva Raw LLC, Charlotte, NC is voluntarily recalling two lots of raw dog and cat foods because of contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. 

The recall is for Lot 21495 of Viva Ground Beef for Dogs and Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies; and Lot 21975 of Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs, Viva Chicken for Cats, and Viva Pure Chicken.

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

Pets with Salmonella or Listeria infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. 

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled products were distributed between July 2 and Aug. 21 directly to consumers nationwide and to a small number of retailers in New York, Illinois, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, California and Arizona. 

The product is distributed as frozen 1-pound bricks in clear vacuum packaging and the lot number is printed on the top of the packaging. Click here to see photos of all of the recalled pet foods. 

There is concern that some pet owners may still have unused portions of the recalled food in their refrigerators or freezers.

The potential for contamination was identified after routine testing was conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Only products from Lots 21495 and 21975 are affected. No illnesses in dogs, cats, or humans related to these lots have been confirmed to date.

If you have products from Lot 21495 or Lot 21975, please contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a refund on any remaining product. You should then dispose of the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. 

Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food.

Consumers with questions can email the company at info@vivarawpets.com or call/text at 919-371-8882.

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 recalled pet food or been around any pets that ate the food 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.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has handled any of the recalledproducts or been around any pets that have eaten it and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has been exposed to any of the recalled 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.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/08/recalled-viva-raw-pet-food-poses-risk-to-animals-and-humans/