Child Hospitalized Due to E. coli Contaminated Pet Food

Public health investigators interviewed Noah’s parents about his food history, finding no significant risks such as ground beef or leafy greens in his diet. However, they noted that Noah had close contact with the family dog, which exclusively consumed Darwin’s Raw Pet Food and had started vomiting one day prior to Noah falling ill. While Noah had contact with the dog, there was no direct connection to the dog food reported.

Raw pet food is not subjected to processes that eliminate pathogens prior to distribution, leading to potential contamination with dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. In households with pets that eat this type of food, transmission can occur through the pet’s saliva and feces, especially concerning for young children who frequently interact with animals and contaminated surfaces.

In May 2025, Noah’s parents sent unopened packages of Darwin’s pet food to IEH Laboratories & Consulting Group for testing. E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from a sample of Darwin’s Beef Dog Food, along with positive tests for Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Hadar in other Darwin products. Whole genome sequencing showed that the strain of E. coli in the pet food matched the strain found in Noah’s stool sample.

On July 7, 2025, Noah's father, Fred Ruiz, informed FDA investigator Antonetta M. Colacchio about their dog’s exclusive diet of Darwin’s food for the past ten years. He provided delivery confirmations and explained the pet feeding process in their home, which included proper storage and cleaning procedures. He noted that while his children were instructed not to handle the raw food, they still interacted closely with the dog.

On July 29, 2025, the FDA warned pet owners against feeding certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Despite the advisory, the company had yet to recall the affected products, which were sold frozen without expiration dates and could still be in consumers' freezers.

The FDA emphasized the risks associated with E. coli O157:H7 in pet food and recommended that affected products be disposed of safely, not fed to pets, or donated. The investigation confirmed a genetic link between the pathogen in the dog food and the illness experienced by Noah, though the exact transmission route remains uncertain.

The FDA monitors pathogens in pet food and highlights the risks to both animal and human health from contaminated products. Arrow Reliance, the company behind Darwin’s products, has a history of violations and recalls related to food safety, elevating the risks associated with its raw pet food offerings.