Viva Raw Recalls Dog and Cat Food Over Salmonella and Listeria Contamination

Viva Raw recall: quick summary

Viva Raw LLC has announced a voluntary recall of two lots of its dog and cat food after possible contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes was detected. The affected products include Ground Beef, Ground Chicken, Chunked Chicken, and Beef & Turkey for Puppies, all sold in frozen 1 lb. vacuum-packed bricks. Distributed nationwide between July 2 and August 21, 2025, with additional availability in select stores across NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, and AZ, the recall comes as a precautionary measure since no illnesses have been reported in either pets or humans. Out of caution, Viva Raw is urging pet owners to stop feeding the recalled products immediately and to contact the company for refunds and further guidance.

What happened?

On August 25, 2025, Viva Raw LLC, based in Charlotte, NC, voluntarily recalled two lots of its raw pet foods after routine testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture detected Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

The products (distributed nationwide and in select retail shops in seven states) were sold as frozen 1 lb. vacuum-packed bricks. The recall includes both dog and cat meals (lots 21495 and 21975). Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported so far.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Lot #	UPC	Best By	Issue	Affected states
Viva	Ground Beef for Dogs	1 lb.	21495	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ
Viva	Beef & Turkey for Puppies	1 lb.	21495	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ
Viva	Ground Chicken for Dogs	1 lb.	21975	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ
Viva	Chunked Chicken for Dogs	1 lb.	21975	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ
Viva	Chicken for Cats	1 lb.	21975	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ
Viva	Pure Chicken	1 lb.	21975	N/A	N/A	Salmonella & Listeria	Nationwide + NY, IL, SC, FL, KS, CA, AZ

What caused the issue?

The villains in this story are Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Both bacteria are infamous for turning perfectly innocent meals into hazardous adventures.

• Health risks: Humans can get sick just from handling the food, with symptoms ranging from diarrhea and cramps to full-on “never leaving the bathroom again” mode. Pets face similar risks + fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• High-risk groups: Pregnant women, infants, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems. Oh, and of course, your four-legged companions.
• Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and, in rare cases, severe complications.
• Victims confirmed? None so far. Let’s keep it that way.

Questions you might have

1. Can I freeze the product longer to kill the bacteria?
   Nope. Freezing just makes the bacteria take a nap. Once thawed, they wake up ready to party.
2. Can my cat infect me?
   Yes. Sick pets can spread germs to humans. Think of it as a very unwanted gift.
3. What if I already mixed it with other food?
   Unfortunately, you’ll need to toss the whole batch. Cross-contamination is sneaky.
4. Can healthy pets carry Salmonella or Listeria without showing symptoms?
   Yes. They can act like undercover agents, spreading germs while looking totally fine.
5. How do I know if my pack is recalled?
   Check the lot numbers 21495 and 21975 printed on the packaging.
6. Can I return it to the store?
   Nope. Contact Viva Raw directly for a refund.
7. How common are recalls like this?
   More common than you’d think, especially for raw pet foods, since they aren’t cooked to kill bacteria.
8. Should I clean my freezer?
   Yes, wipe down any area where the product was stored.
9. Do other Viva Raw products remain safe to eat?
   Yes, only the specific recalled lots are affected. Always double-check lot numbers on packaging.
10. What’s the company doing about it?
    They pulled the affected lots and are offering refunds.

Here’s what you should do

• Stop feeding any product from lot 21495 or 21975.
• Look for the lot number printed on the top of the vacuum packaging.
• Dispose of the recalled food safely, away from pets, kids, and raccoons plotting their midnight raids.
• Contact Viva Raw at [email protected] or call (919) 371-8882 for a refund.

Behind the brand

Viva Raw LLC is a Charlotte-based company specializing in raw pet foods, marketed as fresh and wholesome meals for dogs and cats. Their products are shipped nationwide and through select retailers.

Other relevant recalls

• Darwin’s Natural Pet Products linked to E. coli and Salmonella contamination
• Chetak LLC Group recalls Deep beans due to Salmonella contamination
• World Market recalls Emek pistachio cacao cream over Salmonella contamination
• Blue Ridge Beef recalls puppy and kitten mix due to Salmonella & Listeria Contamination
• Quality Poultry & Seafood recalls catfish fillets over lack of inspection

“Food safety isn’t just about protecting brands, it’s about protecting lives: furry and human. Every recall is a reminder that supply chain excellence and vigilance are the backbone of trust in our industry.” Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86

Ensuring safe eats

Recalls like this shine a spotlight on the challenges of raw food production and the importance of rigorous testing. For the industry, it’s a reminder that consumers (and their pets) deserve nothing less than the highest safety standards.

So, if you’ve got Viva Raw’s Ground Beef or Chicken from lots 21495 or 21975, don’t feed it. Refund it, bin it, and sanitize everything.

At Source86, we’re passionate about bulk ingredients, private label services, food safety, and supply chain excellence, because at the end of the day, every bite (human or pet) should be safe, trusted, and delicious. Contact us to learn how we can help your brand strengthen its supply chain and ingredient safety.