FDA warns 8 Quest cat food lots may cause thiamine deficiency

The FDA has escalated concerns around Steve’s Real Food’s Quest Cat Food line, warning on March 13, 2026, that eight lots of frozen and freeze-dried products contain extremely low or no thiamine and may pose serious health risks to cats. The agency said it received multiple consumer complaints tied to severe thiamine deficiency, including an initial report from a veterinary neurologist, and that continued feeding could lead to serious neurologic disease or death. (fda.gov)

This advisory builds on an earlier company-led recall. On February 17, 2026, Go Raw first recalled one lot of Quest freeze-dried chicken nuggets, then on February 26 expanded that recall to include two frozen chicken lots and announced a stop sale of all Quest products at retail. But FDA’s March advisory went further, saying agency testing identified eight affected lots in total and that only the first three had been formally recalled. FDA also said Steve’s Real Food had not provided evidence showing the remaining affected products had been removed from the marketplace or that customers had been adequately notified about the full scope of risk. (fda.gov)

The tested lots span more than the chicken products named in the recall expansion. According to FDA’s product table, the affected products include one freeze-dried chicken lot already recalled, two frozen chicken lots already recalled, plus additional freeze-dried pork, beef, white fish, chicken, and pork lots. FDA reported no detectable thiamine in the two frozen chicken products, while the other lots ranged from less than 0.1 mg/kg to 0.85 mg/kg, all far below the AAFCO cat food minimum of 5.6 mg/kg. The products were sold online and distributed nationwide through retail stores. (fda.gov)

Industry coverage has largely tracked the FDA’s framing, with dvm360 emphasizing the gap between the eight FDA-flagged lots and the three lots formally recalled to date. That distinction matters because it creates a practical communication challenge for clinics: pet parents may have heard about a “stop sale” or a limited recall, but not realize FDA is advising caution on a broader set of lot codes. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is a reminder that diet-associated nutrient deficiency can still surface in commercial products marketed as complete and balanced. FDA noted that some cats may show signs within a week, while others may take months to become symptomatic. Early signs can look nonspecific, including decreased appetite and vomiting, before progressing to ventroflexion, weakness, wobbly gait, falling, circling, and seizures. Because thiamine deficiency is typically reversible when caught early and the diet is changed, a careful nutrition history could make the difference between a straightforward recovery and a neurologic emergency. (fda.gov)

The case may also sharpen attention on formulation controls and verification testing in niche pet food categories, especially raw and freeze-dried diets. FDA specifically pointed out that these products were labeled to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, yet agency testing found thiamine levels at 0% to 15.2% of the minimum standard in the affected lots. For practices, that may prompt more conversations with pet parents about the risks of feeding a single commercial diet exclusively when a product is under investigation, and about the importance of bringing packaging or lot information to appointments when diet-related illness is suspected. (fda.gov)

What to watch: The next key development is whether Go Raw formally expands its recall to all eight FDA-tested lots, or whether FDA moves beyond public advisories if the agency remains unsatisfied that affected product has been removed and customers have been clearly notified. (fda.gov)