Pet Food Salmonella Recall FDA: What You Need to Know Now

Introduction: When Dinner Turns Risky

Imagine opening a bag of treats your dog adores, only to learn days later that it could make them and you seriously ill. That’s exactly the situation facing hundreds of pet owners after the FDA announced this month that Foodynamics, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer, has recalled several freeze-dried pet food and treats sold under the Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, Kanu Pets, and What’s In the Bowl brands.​

The recall comes after federal testing found traces of Salmonella bacteria, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in both animals and humans. The products were distributed to retailers in Wisconsin, New York, and Florida, and though only eight packages were recalled, the warning underscores how a small contamination event can have broad implications once food enters the supply chain.​

Experience: A Pet Owner’s Wake-Up Moment

For many pet owners, food recalls are more than just an abstract warning; they can hit dangerously close to home. Take Sarah Cunningham, a Golden Retriever owner from upstate New York, who told us she recognized one of her preferred brands on an FDA alert. “I’d fed that treat to Max for weeks without realizing something could be wrong,” she said. “He’s fine, but it changed how I shop forever.”

That sense of vulnerability is what makes these announcements so unsettling. Most of us don’t question where our pet’s food comes from. Yet, every so often, recalls remind us how thin the margin of safety can be when bacterial contamination sneaks in during manufacturing, storage, or transport.

Understanding the Current Recall: Lot Numbers and Details

The FDA’s October 2025 notice provides exact product details for consumers to identify affected batches. The table below simplifies the agency’s list:​

If any of these items are in your home, stop using them immediately. Consumers can return affected products to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact Foodynamics customer service via [email protected] or by calling (262) 421-5339.

Expertise: What Salmonella Does to Pets and People

In Pets

Salmonella exposure affects animals differently depending on age, diet, and immunity. Common signs include:

• Persistent fever

• Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)

• Vomiting

• Lethargy or weakness

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

Veterinarians emphasize that some infected pets may show no clear symptoms but can still transmit bacteria to other animals or humans through saliva, feces, or contaminated toys and bowls.​

In Humans

Handling contaminated pet food or touching pets who’ve eaten it can lead to Salmonella infection in people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns that hand-to-mouth contact is the most common transmission path.

Symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea or bloody stool

• Stomach cramps

• Fever and chills

While healthy adults usually recover within a week, severe cases can lead to dehydration, sepsis, or hospitalization, especially in young children, elderly adults, or immunocompromised individuals.​

Where the FDA Steps In

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine oversees both companion animal and livestock feed safety. Recalls are issued under three categories:

1. Voluntary Recalls – triggered by brands themselves once contamination risks are detected.

2. Class I Recalls – issued for foods posing a serious health hazard.

3. Mandatory Recalls – rare; used when a company refuses voluntary compliance.​

In this case, Foodynamics initiated a voluntary recall before any confirmed illnesses were reported. The FDA, alongside state partners, continues to sample and trace distribution lines to ensure no further risk exists.

Dr. Karen Wallace, a food safety expert and veterinarian, explains: “Early voluntary recalls often show systems are working. It doesn’t always mean negligence sometimes it’s about discovering small lapses before they become big outbreaks.”

Authoritativeness: Who’s Watching?

Apart from the FDA, several organizations track potential foodborne outbreaks linked to pets:

• CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) monitors zoonotic illnesses.

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) regularly publishes food safety updates.

• The Pet Food Institute (PFI) advocates for manufacturing standards and works with regulators on hazard prevention measures.​

Historically, Salmonella recalls often involve raw or minimally processed pet foods, where bacteria aren’t destroyed during manufacturing. According to 2025 data reviewed by the FDA and Dog Food Advisor, the top recalled pet products this year included raw frozen beef, chicken-based treats, and freeze-dried treats all prone to risks if hygiene lapses occur.​

Trustworthiness: How Recalls Are Communicated

Pet food companies must inform both distributors and retail partners immediately, while the FDA posts recall notices on its Recalls & Safety Alerts portal. However, many consumers rely on local news or social media to find out, leaving dangerous information gaps.

Each alert provides key identifiers:

• Product name

• Manufacturer and brand

• Lot number and “use by” dates

• Distribution states

• Risk description and guidance

Experts recommend signing up for recall alerts directly at FDA.gov or trusted platforms like DogFoodAdvisor and PetFoodIndustry to stay ahead of safety updates.

Real-World Lesson: The Invisible Chain of Contamination

From poultry farms to freeze-drying plants, pet food manufacturing involves multiple steps where contamination can sneak in. Even a single slip in cleaning protocol or cross-contamination during packaging can introduce Salmonella.

Once contaminated food is sealed, cold temperatures don’t always kill bacteria. In fact, Salmonella can survive freezing, stay dormant, and reactivate when the product thaws in your kitchen.

That’s why experts stress that pet owners, not just manufacturers, play a role in prevention. Simple habits like washing hands after scooping kibbles or disinfecting pet bowls weekly can drastically reduce risk.

Consumer Checklist: Staying Safe After a Recall

To protect both your pets and family, here’s a streamlined safety plan:

1. Check the Label – Find the “lot number” and match it against published FDA recall lists.

2. Stop Feeding – Discontinue use of affected food immediately.

3. Isolate and Dispose – Seal recalled food in a plastic bag before discarding, so wildlife or other pets can’t access it.

4. Do a Deep Clean – Wash food containers, bowls, and feeding areas with hot, soapy water or diluted bleach.

5. Monitor Symptoms – If your pet shows signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, contact your vet.

6. Report Issues – Notify the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal (SRP) if illness follows product use.

Even unaffected pet owners can look at this recall as an opportunity to review storage habits. Avoid mixing new and old food in bins since contamination can spread unseen.

The Bigger Picture: Why Recalls Keep Happening

Every year, the FDA logs dozens of animal food recalls related to microbial contamination, nutrient imbalances, or packaging errors. Demand for “natural” and raw pet food has soared, but these minimally processed foods carry higher bacterial risk.​

Industry experts argue that small- to mid-scale manufacturers often lack the infrastructure for rigorous sterilization methods like high-pressure pasteurization. Large corporations have better protocols but are not immune cross-industry cases show how difficult total pathogen control can be.

The bottom line? Recalls may signal failure in some ways but they also mean the safety system is detecting threats before they spiral.

What Veterinarians Recommend Going Forward

Most veterinarians see this as a moment to reset consumer education rather than amplify fear. Common recommendations include:

• Buy from reputable brands that publish lab-tested certificates.

• Avoid raw or unpasteurized diets unless prescribed by a vet under controlled conditions.

• Store food in airtight containers in cool, dry spaces to discourage bacteria growth.

• Keep feeding tools clean scoops, bowls, and storage bins can harbor residue.

“Transparency builds trust,” says Dr. Wallace. “Consumers should question brands that can’t show recall history, sourcing information, or safety test results.”

A Shared Responsibility

Pet food recalls remind us that ownership isn’t just feeding; it’s accountability. The FDA’s work identifies problems, but prevention starts in manufacturing plants and continues into homes. Each player from brand to buyer helps shape safety culture.

For caring pet owners, vigilance might mean ten extra seconds of reading a label or cleaning a dish but it could mean sparing your pet weeks of illness or worse.

Conclusion: Stay Aware, Stay Grounded

The latest pet food salmonella recall FDA report underscores one truth: our pets trust us to keep their food safe, and awareness is our best defense. Recalls don’t have to create panic; they’re reminders of how safety systems evolve through vigilance.

Before your next feeding, double-check brand notices, follow handling hygiene, and keep up with verified recall sources. A few minutes of precaution can protect every wagging tail and gentle purr in your home.