Frozen Dog Food Recalled in 4 US States Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

The company warned that salmonella can affect humans when they handle the recalled items.

An image of the recalled food product from Minnesota-based Raw Bistro Pet Fare. Courtesy of the FDA

Minnesota-based Raw Bistro Pet Fare is recalling certain lots of its frozen beef dog food products due to potential salmonella contamination, the company said in an announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration on Oct.10.

The affected products are three-pound bags and 18-pound cases of “Raw Bistro Dog Fare Grass-Fed Beef Entree” with lot number 239 and a “Best By” date of Aug. 27, 2026. The items were sold to consumers and distributors between Sept. 1–17 in four states—California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.

“Pets infected with salmonella may be lethargic, have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain,” said the announcement.

“Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and transmit infection to other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and shows these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.”

The company warned that salmonella can affect humans when they handle the recalled items, especially if they fail to wash their hands after coming into contact with the food.

It advised healthy people to monitor for symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramping, fever, and diarrhea to identify potential salmonella infections. In some rare instances, these infections can result in serious medical complications such as urinary tract issues, arthritis, arterial infections, and endocarditis, which is a potentially fatal inflammation of the inner lining of heart valves and chambers.

Raw Bistro asked customers who suspect they have these symptoms to seek medical advice. The announcement clarified that, so far, there have been no reports of pets or humans getting infected due to the recalled items.

People must not feed the recalled products to any animals or donate the items. Any pet food bowls, storage containers, scoops, and other surfaces that came into contact with the recalled items must be cleaned and sanitized, the announcement said.

“Consumers who purchased the recalled product should return it to the place of purchase for a refund on any remaining product or dispose of it in a way that prevents access by children, pets, or wildlife,” the company said.

The Epoch Times reached out to Raw Bistro Pet Fare for comment and did not receive a response by publication time.

The recall follows an Oct. 9 announcement by the FDA in which Wisconsin-based Foodynamics stated they were withdrawing certain lots of freeze-dried pet treats sold under the Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, and Kanu Pets brand names. Potential salmonella contamination was a concern here as well. The recalled items were shipped to retailers in Wisconsin, New York, and Florida, the announcement said.

Earlier in January, North Carolina-based Blue Ridge Beef recalled thousands of pounds of dog food due to salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses and deaths among people in the United States, according to an October 2024 post by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency estimates around 1.35 million infections annually in the country.

Individuals can get infected with salmonella by consuming contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching animals or the places they live, the agency said.

People most at risk of salmonella infections include children under the age of five, individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly aged 65 and above, and adults aged 50 and older with underlying medical issues such as heart disease.

Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the Study And Framework for Efficiency in Food Oversight and Organizational Design (SAFE FOOD) Act in May, which aims to make food inspections safer and more efficient, according to a May 21 statement from his office.

The bill asks the Department of Agriculture to carry out a study looking at consolidating various federal agencies engaged in food safety into a single entity.

“Current food safety oversight is spread across multiple federal, state, and local agencies, which decreases efficacy, creates gaps, and slows response times to potential public health risks,” Cotton said.

“My bill is a commonsense step to expanding government efficiency and enhancing public health protection by unifying our food safety agencies.”

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.