FDA warns eight Quest cat food lots pose thiamine risk

The FDA is warning veterinarians and pet parents that eight lots of Quest Cat Food marketed by Go Raw LLC, doing business as Steve’s Real Food, contain extremely low or no thiamine (vitamin B1), after the agency received multiple complaints of severe thiamine deficiency in cats and confirmed the problem through testing. The agency said it first learned of the issue from a veterinary neurologist who reported a cat with severe deficiency after eating one of the affected products. FDA testing found all eight lots fell far below the AAFCO minimum of 5.6 mg/kg dry matter, including two frozen chicken lots with no detectable thiamine. As of the FDA’s March 13, 2026 advisory, the company had recalled only three lots, although it had previously expanded its February 26 recall and said it would stop sales of all Quest products while the issue is addressed. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is both a food safety story and a case-finding issue. The FDA says affected cats may show decreased appetite and vomiting early, then progress to cervical ventroflexion, weakness, ataxia, circling, falling, seizures, and death if untreated. Some cats may become symptomatic within a week, while others may take months. Because these diets were labeled as complete and balanced for all life stages, clinicians may need to ask specifically about Quest frozen and freeze-dried products when working up feline neurologic or nonspecific GI signs, and encourage pet parents to stop feeding suspect lots and seek care quickly. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Watch for whether Go Raw expands its recall beyond the three lots already recalled, and whether the FDA receives evidence that all affected products have been removed from the market. (fda.gov)