FDA issues advisory after tests of Raaw Energy dog reveal bacteria contamination, company refuses to recall

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Raaw Energy dog food is purchased online from the company’s website with the products sold frozen and packaged in 2-pound or 5-pound clear plastic tubes. (Getty)

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory after testing samples of Raaw Energy dog food showed the presence of harmful bacteria.

What we know:

The FDA says the testing was done after a consumer reported to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CTDA) that their dog had become ill. The FDA says CTDA and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture collected and tested a total of eight unopened product samples, all of which tested positive for pathogenic bacteria including lsteria monocytogenes, salmonella,  campylobacter jejuni as well as E.coli, which was also found in one sample.

The FDA says it recommended Raaw Energy recall the eight lots due to contamination with pathogenic bacteria, but to date, the firm has not initiated an adequate recall of the affected products.

Dig deeper:

Raaw Energy dog food is purchased online from the company’s website with the products sold frozen and packaged in 2-pound or 5-pound clear plastic tubes sealed on each end with a metal clip and come in brown cardboard boxes containing 10 plastic tubes.  Once purchased, cConsumers pick up the product in person. 

What you can do:

The FDA says consumers who have purchased Raaw Energy dog food should check packaging for the affected date codes ​​and if you have any of the Raaw Energy dog food products listed below, stop feeding the product to your pet or pets and dispose of it in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it. Do not donate the food. 

Product: Chicken Medley
Size: 2-lb tubes
Date code: 7.17.25

Product: Chicken Medley
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 11.22.25

Product: Chicken Medley
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 12.12.25

Product: Salmon
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 12.5.25 and 12.12.25

Product: Beef Chicken Medley
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 12.16.25

Product: Beef Turkey Medley
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 12.18.25

Product: Beef Chicken Tripe Medley
Size: 5-lb tubes
Date code: 12.23.25

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians.  The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. 

What is Listeria monocytogenes? 

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially those who are pregnant, very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.

According to  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  listeriosis in humans can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the person and the part of the body affected. Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches. Anyone with symptoms of listeriosis should contact a health care provider.

What is Salmonella?  

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems. According to the  CDC, people infected with  Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most people recover without treatment, but in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. 

The CDS says 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.

What is E. coli?

The CDC says E. coli O157:H7 are a harmful type of E. coli bacteria called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). STEC are of particular concern because the bacteria produce Shiga toxins, which can cause damage to the intestinal lining, kidneys, or nervous system. People can become infected with STEC by consuming contaminated food or being in close contact with infected animals, people, or environments. Symptoms may begin anywhere from a few days up to nine days after exposure. Symptoms of STEC infection in people generally include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. People with possible STEC exposure who develop symptoms of an infection should consult their health care provider.

What is Campylobacter jejuni?

According to the CDC, Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness and people contract it by touching animals (for example, puppies) that carry C. jejuni.

Symptoms of campylobacteriosis infection can include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea (often bloody). In some cases, physicians prescribe antibiotics when diarrhea is severe. The illness can last about a week.