Northwest Naturals Recalls Pet Food Due to Listeria and Salmonella Contamination

Northwest Naturals, based in Portland, OR, has announced a voluntary recall of 53 cases of its Frozen Chicken Recipe cat food and 19 cases of its Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects animal health and poses risks to humans who handle these contaminated products without proper hygiene.

Salmonella and Listeria can cause serious health issues. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), abdominal cramping, and fever. For Listeria monocytogenes, symptoms in people can range from confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions to headache, fever, muscle aches, lethargy, anorexia, nausea, and diarrhea. Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms after handling the recalled products should seek medical attention.

Pets consuming the contaminated food may exhibit lethargy, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), fever, and vomiting, or may simply show a decreased appetite and abdominal pain. As some infected pets might not show symptoms but can still spread the bacteria, pet owners whose animals have consumed the recalled products and display these symptoms should contact a veterinarian.

The recalled products are: Northwest Naturals Frozen Chicken Recipe (cat food), 2 lbs. bag (12 bags per case) - Lot B-5, Best By 01/26/2028, UPC 087316384956, and Northwest Naturals Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe, 6 lbs. bag (6 bags per case) - Lot B-19, Best By 01/25/2028, UPC 087316380392.

These items were distributed to retail stores nationwide. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall as of now. The contamination was detected after the Food and Drug Administration collected and tested product samples, finding Salmonella in the chicken recipe for cats and both Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in the dog food.

Consumers who have purchased these products should immediately cease feeding them to their pets. Proper handling of raw pet food is crucial for safety; individuals should wash hands thoroughly after contact, clean all surfaces and utensils, keep raw pet food separate from human food, and store it appropriately.