The US Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners about a risk of listeria and salmonella in two brands of pet food.
The contaminated pet foods are from Answers Pet Food and Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. While Answers has issued an official recall regarding the products that tested positive for salmonella and listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), Darwin’s Natural Pet Products has not, despite an FDA report that states that both salmonella and L. mono were found in Darwin’s products.
Affected pet foods:
The affected Answers pet food are sold in 4-pound, half-gallon cartons:
- Answers Pet Food Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs/856554002102 (Lot code: BUBD MAY 06, 2026)
- Answers Pet Food Straight Beef Formula for Dogs/856554002072 (Lot code: BUBD JAN 31, 2026)
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs/856554002065 (Lot code: BUBD JAN 02, 2026 & MAR 11, 2026)
According to the FDA, the affected Darwin’s Natural Pet Products are sold in 2-pound packages in units of four:
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot No: 10832 MFG)
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot No: 10856 MFG)
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats (Lot No: 10890 MFG)
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs (Lot No: 10828 MFG)
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs (Lot No: 10844 MFG)
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs (Lot No: 10887 MFG)
What to do if these food products are in your possession
If you have any of the products listed above, the FDA recommends disposing of them immediately and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting any dishes and surfaces that may have come in contact with the products.
If you believe your pet was infected by any of the above products, you can report it at the FDA’s safety reporting portal.
If you have an affected Answers product, you can submit your receipt and a photo of the product to [email protected] along with the store name you purchased the food from for a refund. Refund information regarding Darwin’s Natural Pet Products is not currently available.
What are salmonella and listeria monocytogenes?
Both salmonella and listeria monocytogenes are foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria. While infected pets do not always show symptoms, they can pass the illness to their owners through their stool.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while listeria can cause headaches, fevers, chills and, in severe cases, death.
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