Northwest Naturals recalls raw chicken pet foods after FDA testing

Northwest Naturals is recalling two frozen raw chicken pet food products after FDA testing found contamination concerns involving Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The August 28, 2026 announcement covers one cat food SKU and one dog food SKU distributed to retail stores nationwide, with no illnesses reported as of the recall notice. (fda.gov)

The recall lands against a backdrop of continued scrutiny of raw pet food safety. Northwest Naturals was already in the spotlight earlier in the past two years after a separate recall involving its feline turkey raw frozen product tied to H5N1 contamination, according to Oregon agriculture and veterinary sources. More broadly, FDA’s current recalls list shows multiple 2026 pet food recalls involving pathogen contamination or other safety issues, underscoring how active the animal feed safety environment remains. (apps.oregon.gov)

This time, the recalled products are Northwest Naturals Frozen Chicken Recipe, a 2-pound bag marketed as cat food and a protein topper for dogs, lot B-5, best by January 26, 2028, UPC 087316384956, and Northwest Naturals Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe, a 6-pound bag, lot B-19, best by January 25, 2028, UPC 087316380392. FDA said the cat product tested positive for Salmonella, while the dog product tested positive for both Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella. Consumers are being told to stop feeding the products and return unused portions for a refund. (fda.gov)

The company’s broader messaging has emphasized high pressure cold processing as a pathogen-control step, saying on its website that the process is designed to inactivate organisms such as Salmonella and Listeria. Even so, AAHA’s nutrition guidance notes that high-pressure processing does not make a raw diet sterile and that pathogen risk remains a concern with raw and dehydrated nonsterilized animal-origin foods. That tension is likely to be relevant in how veterinary teams discuss this recall with pet parents who believe processing steps fully eliminate microbial hazards. (nw-naturals.net)

Industry reaction in formal statements appears limited so far, but the veterinary profession’s standing guidance is clear. AAHA says it does not advocate or endorse raw or dehydrated nonsterilized foods of animal origin because of the risk of transmitting bacterial and protozoal pathogens. The AVMA likewise recommends that veterinarians inform pet parents about the risks of raw or undercooked animal-source protein and how to reduce exposure for both people and animals. (aaha.org)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this recall is more than a product removal notice. It creates a practical need for client communication, triage guidance, and infection-control reminders. Clinics may field questions from pet parents feeding raw diets, especially those using chicken-based frozen products or mixing raw foods across species. Teams should be prepared to review specific lot numbers, ask about gastrointestinal signs, and reinforce hand hygiene and surface disinfection, particularly in households with children, older adults, pregnant people, or immunocompromised individuals, who may face higher risk from foodborne pathogens. FDA also warned that infected pets may be asymptomatic carriers, which raises the stakes for household exposure and in-clinic history-taking. (fda.gov)

The recall also adds to a broader pattern: raw pet food continues to generate not only nutritional debates, but recurring safety events involving bacterial contamination and, more recently, avian influenza concerns. For practices, that means these conversations are no longer niche. They sit at the intersection of nutrition counseling, zoonotic disease prevention, and trust-building with pet parents who may be skeptical of conventional guidance. (apps.oregon.gov)

What to watch: The next key signals will be whether Northwest Naturals or FDA broadens the affected lots, whether any illnesses are reported, and whether retailers or state regulators issue additional advisories in the coming days. (fda.gov)