Pet Food Recall 2022: Product Sold In Certain States May Be Contaminated With Listeria

A company is voluntarily recalling a specific lot of its dog food because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes Listeriosis. The affected product was distributed in three U.S. states and a province in Canada.

The recall affects one lot of Primal Pet Foods' Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula (6-pound), which involves about 66 cases (396 units) of the product, according to the company announcement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. The company issued the recall after routine testing by the agency found a positive result in one sample in the affected lot.

"The safety and quality of our products has always been my top priority," Matt Koss, founder and chief product officer at Primal Pet Foods, said in a statement, noting the company's safety protocols. "We confirmed that all testing results on this lot were negative for Listeria monocytogenes–both raw materials and finished product–before it left our production facility in California."

The affected product has the lot #W10068709 and the best by date of 05/22/23. It was distributed in Maryland, Georgia, Texas and British Columbia, according to the FDA.

"No other lot codes or Primal products are impacted by this announcement," the company noted.

Those who may still have an affected product are being urged to not feed it to their pet. Instead they should dispose of it "properly," Koss noted. They should also consult a veterinarian if their dog has eaten an affected product.

Pet parents are also being encouraged to follow safety practices by washing their hands as well as the surfaces they used after touching raw products. They should contact a health care provider if they are exhibiting Listeriosis symptoms after handling the product.

Those who have questions about the recall may contact the company at (800) 742-1312 from Monday to Friday or by submitting a ticket through this form.

Listeriosis in Pets and Animals

A listeria monocytogenes contamination in pet food may affect both the pets and the humans handling them. As the FDA explained, it is "rare" for dogs to get sick from Listeria monocytogenes, but it can happen. When they do, they tend to get "mild" symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. However, it is also possible for them to have a more serious illness.

It's also worth noting that in some instances, dogs do not present any symptoms at all while still being carriers of the bacteria. According to the agency, this means that they may unwittingly spread the pathogen to the environment even though they "appear healthy." For instance, they can pass it to other pets in the same household or to the humans who handle their food or touch the surfaces that have been contaminated.

In humans, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to Listeria, the FDA noted. Their symptoms may be more serious. In pregnant women, the bacteria may cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or a "life-threatening" infection of the newborn.

In the case of the current recall, the company has not received reports of illness in either people or pets associated with the product as of the recall date.