The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled a number of dog food products after they were found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Several of the beef and chicken dog food products produced by the brand Answers Pet Food, based in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, were found to have tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).
The FDA recommends that these products should be “thrown out or destroyed in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access it.”
Images from the Food and Drug Administration show recalled pet foods, with a stock image of salmonella bacteria. The foods were recalled because of contamination from Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
FDA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
The withdrawn products, which are contained in 4-pound half-gallon cartons and sold online and in stores nationwide, are the following:
- Answers Pet Food Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs, with a UPC code of 856554002102 and best-by date of May 6, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs, with a UPC code of 856554002072 and best-by date of January 31, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs, with a UPC code of 856554002065 and best-by date of January 2, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs, with a UPC code of 856554002065 and best-by date of March 11 2026
In its recall advisory, the FDA said: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners that samples of two Answers Pet Food products made by Lystn LLC tested positive for Salmonella, a third product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), and a fourth product tested positive for Salmonella and L. mono.”
The agency added: “The FDA collected and tested unopened retail samples of products after receiving three consumer complaints of illness in dogs that ate the products.”
In the recall announcement, the FDA said that “no illnesses associated with these lots have been confirmed.”
So far, no recall risk classification has been put in place for these products.
Newsweek has reached out to Answers Pet Food by email for comment.
The FDA said: “Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.”
Salmonella is a type of bacteria often found in raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice and raw fruits and vegetables. In humans, salmonella infection can lead to diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. Most people recover without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization, especially if the infection spreads to the bloodstream.
The FDA said: “Pets do not always display symptoms when infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level. If your pet has these symptoms, consult a veterinarian promptly. You should also be aware that infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces without showing signs of being sick.”
L. mono is also a bacterium that can lead to major illness and can be found in raw and undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy products, ready-to-eat foods like deli meats, smoked seafood and soft cheeses.
Most healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. Pregnant women are more susceptible to L. mono, which can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or neonatal infections. Additionally, L. mono can cause meningitis, septicemia and other life-threatening complications in older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
The FDA said: “L. mono infections are uncommon in pets, but they are possible. Symptoms may include mild to severe diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular and respiratory signs; pregnancy loss; depression; shock; and death. Pets do not need to display symptoms to be able to pass L. mono on to their human companions. As with Salmonella, infected pets can shed L. mono in their feces and saliva without showing signs of being sick, further contaminating the household environment.”
The FDA recommends disposing of the recalled food in a secure container and cleaning and disinfecting food storage containers, bowls and other surfaces that the food or pets that ate the food could have touched.
“Clean up the pet’s feces in places where people or other animals may become exposed. Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the product or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces,” the FDA said.
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