Raw Pet Food Recalled Nationwide Over Salmonella and Listeria Concerns

Pet owners across the United States are being urged to check their freezers after Northwest Naturals announced a voluntary recall involving two raw pet food products. The recall affects specific batches of frozen chicken-based foods that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the affected products were distributed to retailers nationwide. While no illnesses linked to the recalled food have been reported by the company so far, both bacteria can cause serious illness in animals and people.

Which Northwest Naturals Products Are Affected?

According to the FDA recall notice, Northwest Naturals recalled two products on Aug. 28, 2026.

The first is Frozen Chicken Recipe, which was marketed as cat food and as a protein topper for dogs. A total of approximately 1,272 pounds of this product was recalled.

The second product is Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe, involving approximately 684 pounds of food.

The recalled products are limited to specific lots. Pet owners should compare the information on their packaging with the details below before deciding whether their product is affected.

Recalled Frozen Chicken Recipe

• Package size: 2-pound bags
• Lot number: B-5
• Best-by date: Jan. 26, 2028
• UPC: 087316384956

Recalled Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe

• Package size: 6-pound bags
• Lot number: B-19
• Best-by date: Jan. 25, 2028
• UPC: 087316380392

Only the specified lots are included in this recall. Consumers who have the products should not feed them to pets until they have confirmed that the food is not affected.

Why Were the Products Recalled?

The FDA said routine testing detected Salmonella in samples from both recalled products. The Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe also tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Both microorganisms are potentially harmful pathogens. Their presence in pet food can create risks not only for animals consuming the food but also for people who handle the products, feeding bowls, preparation areas, packaging, or other surfaces that may become contaminated.

Raw pet food can require additional handling precautions because it is not subjected to the same cooking process that eliminates many disease-causing organisms from food.

The presence of bacteria does not necessarily mean that every package in a recalled lot will make an animal or person sick. However, consumers are generally advised to follow the recall instructions and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, an infection affecting both animals and humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella can spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated food and surfaces. Animals can sometimes carry and shed the bacteria without appearing sick.

Pets that develop a Salmonella infection may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, or abdominal discomfort. In more serious cases, infection can become dangerous and require veterinary treatment.

One concern for households is that an apparently healthy pet may still carry and spread Salmonella. People can potentially become exposed while handling contaminated food, bowls, surfaces, or an infected animal.

Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with weakened immune systems can be particularly vulnerable to severe foodborne infections.

What Is Listeria Monocytogenes?

Listeria monocytogenes is another bacterium capable of causing foodborne illness. Infection with the organism can result in listeriosis.

The FDA explains that Listeria can be found in the environment, including soil and water, and can affect animals as well as people.

Pets exposed to Listeria may show symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, reduced appetite, or lethargy. In some circumstances, infection can become more severe.

As with Salmonella, contaminated pet food can potentially expose humans during handling. This means pet owners should pay attention not only to what their animals consume but also to how recalled food is stored, handled, and discarded or returned.

What Should Pet Owners Do?

Anyone who purchased Northwest Naturals raw food should first check the product packaging for the lot number, UPC, package size, and best-by date.

If the food matches one of the recalled products, do not feed it to your dog or cat.

The company recommends returning affected products to the retailer where they were purchased for a full refund.

Pet owners should also take care when handling recalled food. Avoid touching your face while handling the product and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Any surfaces that may have come into contact with the food should also be cleaned appropriately.

If a pet has eaten one of the recalled products and subsequently develops signs of illness, owners should contact a veterinarian. It is useful to tell the veterinarian exactly what product the animal consumed and provide the lot information if available.

Do not wait for symptoms before taking action on the recall itself. The safest approach is to stop feeding a confirmed recalled product immediately.

Healthy-Looking Pets Can Still Present a Risk

One important point for households is that an animal does not necessarily need to appear ill to potentially spread bacteria.

Some infected animals may show few or no obvious symptoms. Nevertheless, they may shed bacteria into their environment.

For that reason, households that have handled recalled pet food should practice careful hygiene. This includes washing hands after feeding or handling pet food, cleaning food preparation areas, and regularly washing feeding bowls.

Extra caution may be appropriate in homes with people who are more vulnerable to foodborne illness.

No Illnesses Reported So Far

Northwest Naturals said it has not received reports of illnesses associated with the recalled products as of the announcement.

The recall was initiated after testing identified the bacteria, rather than following reports of consumers or pets becoming sick.

That distinction is important. A recall can be issued as a preventive measure when testing identifies a potential hazard, even when no illnesses have been confirmed.

Pet owners should therefore treat the recall seriously while avoiding unnecessary panic.

Where Can Consumers Get More Information?

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Northwest Naturals at 1-866-637-1872 during normal business hours.

The FDA's official recall notice provides additional information about the affected products and the reason for the recall. Consumers should rely on official recall information when checking whether a particular package is affected.

The FDA's food safety resources can also provide information about foodborne pathogens and pet food safety.

Final Thoughts

The Northwest Naturals recall is a reminder that food safety applies to pet products as well as food intended for human consumption. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can potentially affect animals and people, making proper handling particularly important when dealing with contaminated or potentially contaminated products.

Pet owners who have Northwest Naturals Frozen Chicken Recipe or Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe should carefully inspect the package details. Products matching the recalled lot information should not be fed to pets and should be returned to the retailer for a refund.

Although no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled products at the time of the announcement, taking prompt precautions can help reduce potential risks to pets and household members.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Northwest Naturals recall notice, Aug. 28, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary, medical, or professional food safety advice. Product recall information can change, so consumers should check the latest information from the FDA and Northwest Naturals. If a pet shows signs of illness after consuming a recalled product, contact a veterinarian promptly.