Viva Raw LLC, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has issued a voluntary recall of two lots of its dog and cat food products due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products include Lot 21495 (Viva Ground Beef for Dogs; Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies) and Lot 21975 (Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chicken for Cats; Viva Pure Chicken).
According to the company, both animals consuming these products and humans handling them may be at risk. Symptoms of infection in people can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. More serious conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms are rare but possible. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to Listeria infection which can lead to miscarriage. Young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems face increased risks.
"Healthy people infected with Salmonella or Listeria should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella and Listeria can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Pregnant women are especially susceptible to Listeria infection, which can result in miscarriage. The young, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable to infection."
Pets showing signs of illness may experience lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some may only show decreased appetite or abdominal pain but could still transmit the bacteria to other animals or humans.
"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 nationwide directly to consumers between July 2 and August 21 of this year as well as through select retailers in New York (NY), Illinois (IL), South Carolina (SC), Florida (FL), Kansas (KS), California (CA), and Arizona (AZ). They were sold as frozen one-pound bricks in clear vacuum packaging with lot numbers printed on top.
Routine testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture identified the potential contamination. So far there have been no reported illnesses in dogs, cats or humans linked to these lots.
Customers who possess products from either Lot 21495 or Lot 21975 are advised not to sell or donate them nor feed them to pets or other animals. The company instructs customers: "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."
For questions about the recall customers can email info@vivarawpets.com or call/text (919) 371-8882 during business hours Monday through Friday.
