Nearly a ton of raw pet food just came off shelves after federal tests found salmonella and listeria in two chicken recipes, and that number should make every pet owner check the freezer tonight.
Story Snapshot
- Northwest Naturals recalled 1,956 pounds of raw chicken pet food.
- Food and Drug Administration testing found salmonella and listeria in two lots.
- Raw pet foods drive a large share of pathogen recalls compared with other types.
- Owners should stop feeding, bag the product, and follow the recall steps.
What Was Recalled, And Why It Matters
Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, pulled two raw chicken products after Food and Drug Administration testing flagged salmonella and listeria.
The recall covers 53 cases, or 1,272 pounds, of a frozen chicken recipe for cats, and 19 cases, or 684 pounds, of a frozen raw chicken recipe for dogs, for a total of 1,956 pounds.
The company described the move as voluntary. The contaminated lots were sold nationwide. The agency notice explains the health risks to pets and people who handle the food.
Salmonella can sicken pets and spread to people through contact with bowls, drool, or surfaces. Listeria monocytogenes can also harm animals and at-risk people, including seniors and those with weak immune systems.
The Food and Drug Administration explains that even healthy pets can shed germs without appearing sick, which can spread contamination in the home.
The notice instructs owners to stop feeding the impacted food, bag it, clean surfaces, and follow disposal or return steps. That guidance reduces risk fast.
How This Fits A Bigger Pattern In Raw Pet Food
Pet owners often pick raw diets for perceived health benefits. The data tell a harder truth. A review of twenty years of recalls found 859 Salmonella-linked pet food recalls. That was nearly a quarter of all pet food recalls and the vast majority of bacteria-related recalls.
Industry analyses of Food and Drug Administration records show that raw diets account for an outsized share of pathogen recalls relative to their small market share. This is not a one-off. It is a recurring challenge in manufacturing and handling.
The Food and Drug Administration has warned for years that raw pet food is more likely to carry Salmonella and Listeria. Past advisories linked recalls to positive tests for salmonella, listeria, and certain harmful strains of E. coli in raw products.
The agency’s recall and withdrawal dashboards also list Northwest Naturals entries tied to potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria, underscoring that regulators track patterns across brands and over time. When risk concentrates in a category, habits and tougher controls become non-negotiable.
What Pet Owners Should Do Today
Check your freezer for Northwest Naturals frozen chicken recipes that match the recalled lot details. If you have them, stop feeding them now, seal the bags, and follow the company or store return instructions.
Wash hands for 20 seconds after handling the food. Scrub bowls, scoops, counters, and floors with hot, soapy water. Disinfect high-touch spots.
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or low energy in pets, and call your veterinarian if symptoms appear. People who feel sick should contact a doctor and report exposure to raw pet food.
‼️Dog Food Recall
Northwest Naturals Recalls Raw Pet Food Products Over Potential Salmonella and Listeria Contaminationhttps://t.co/MJvOiRuYs8
— becca (@patentlyme) September 1, 2026
Future buying can be safer with a plan. Ask brands how they control pathogens. Look for clear kill steps, such as high-pressure processing, and for testing that holds product until safety results come back. Store raw foods in sealed containers on a low shelf to prevent drips.
Use a dedicated scoop and cutting board. Keep this recall notice handy for details, and sign up for email alerts from the Food and Drug Administration so you do not miss the next one.
What Manufacturers And Regulators Should Tackle Next
Manufacturers should raise their floor on hazard controls for raw diets. That means stronger supplier checks, validated kill steps, environmental swabbing, and a test-and-hold program so that no lot ships before results are available. The recall record shows why.
Salmonella and Listeria recalls remain common in raw foods, shifting risk to families and first responders who handle cleanups. The Food and Drug Administration should keep pressing for transparency and faster public alerts when tests hit positive thresholds.
Why This Recall Grabs Attention Now
Households juggle kids, grandkids, and pets in tight spaces. A thawing raw patty on a countertop can spread germs faster than you think. The latest recall number is small relative to the entire market, but the signal is loud: raw pet foods still punch above their weight in terms of pathogen risk.
Owners who handle them like raw chicken in our kitchens cut danger sharply. When companies prove strong kill steps and testing, they earn trust the right way—with safety first, not spin.
Sources:
foxbusiness.com, fda.gov, nw-naturals.net
