The Lewis Sausage Company, Inc. (Burgaw, NC) has recalled a single production batch of five varieties of Viva brand raw dog and cat foods due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The contamination was discovered as a result of an inspection carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is no indication as to what triggered the FDA inspection.

The recalled products were co-packed by Lewis Sausage on behalf of Viva Raw, LLC (Durham, NC) and were distributed by Viva Raw.

Viva Raw does not carry out any manufacturing at its location of record. The company’s address of record, as listed by the North Carolina Secretary of State, belongs to a single-family home in a residential area of Durham, North Carolina.

No press release was issued for this recall, which was initiated on June 12, 2024 and includes the following products.

• VIVA for cats turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
• VIVA for dogs CHUNKED turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
• VIVA for dogs GROUND turkey (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
• VIVA for puppies beef & turkey GROUND (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)
• VIVA PURE turkey for cats & dogs (1 lb (454g); Lot #21244)

The recalled products were shipped to distributors in California, North Carolina, and New Jersey.

Who’s in charge here?

A claim of “human-grade meat” made for a pet food product is no guarantee that the food will be pathogen-free.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) allows the sale of raw meats and raw poultry that are contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Lewis Sausage is a FSIS-inspected facility (Establishment No M8001+P8001).

However, pet food manufacturers—including FSIS-inspected facilities—fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA. And the FDA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for pathogens in any animal food that is sold as “ready-to-eat” (ie., that will not by subjected to a cooking step before being fed).

How to report a pet food problem to the FDA

The FDA relies heavily on reports from pet owners and veterinarians to alert them to safety issues with pet foods. Especially useful are reports that include veterinary information and details on the suspect food (brand, variety, batch codes, et cetera).

The following links will help you to make your report to the FDA. Just click anywhere on the blue to be taken directly to the appropriate FDA web page.

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint. Read this web page before beginning to file your complaint. It provides a list of the information you should try to have at hand before you begin to file. If you are missing some information, do not despair. Even partial information will be helpful.

Consumer Complaint Coordinators. This FDA page supplies the telephone number for the agency’s Consumer Complaint Coordinator in each state. Use this approach if you wish to make your complaint by telephone. If you do not reach a live voice, please leave a detailed message so that the coordinator can return your call.

Safety Reporting Portal. Use this FDA page if you prefer to file your report on-line with the agency. Begin by clicking on the button “Report as Guest” and continue by answering each question as it is presented to you.

“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including: