The FDA has issued a critical warning about dog food contamination affecting Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs. Two product lots tested positive for dangerous bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, prompting urgent safety concerns for pet owners nationwide.
The contamination was discovered during FDA testing conducted as part of a follow-up investigation into consumer complaints. One sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, while a second sample contained both Salmonella and Listeria bacteria, creating serious health risks for both pets and their human families.
Affected Products and Lot Information
The contaminated products are sold online through a subscription service in frozen 2-pound packages. Pet owners should immediately check their freezers for the following affected lots:
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs, Lot 11895 with Manufacturing Date July 29, 2025, and Lot 11826 with Manufacturing Date July 7, 2025. The lot codes can be found on the front, lower-left corner of each 2-pound package.
The affected products come in distinctive white and clear plastic packages with “BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free” written in orange letters. Each package is divided into four half-pound portions for convenient feeding.
Company Response Falls Short of FDA Expectations
While Arrow Reliance, Inc., the manufacturer of Darwin’s products, reportedly sent notification letters to customers about the Listeria contamination, the FDA noted critical gaps in the company’s response. The letters failed to inform customers about the presence of Salmonella in one of the affected lots, leaving pet owners with incomplete information about the health risks.
More concerning, the FDA stated that Arrow Reliance has not provided sufficient documentation proving that the contaminated products have been effectively removed from the marketplace and customers’ freezers. This incomplete recall response leaves potentially dangerous products in circulation.
The FDA recommended that Arrow Reliance initiate a full recall of the two affected product lots, but the company’s actions have not met federal agency standards for product removal verification.
Health Risks and Safety Precautions
Pet owners who have purchased these products should immediately dispose of them in secure containers to prevent access by pets or wildlife. The FDA strongly advises against feeding these products to pets or donating them to shelters or other organizations.
Salmonella infection in pets can cause serious symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite, and decreased energy levels. Some pets may carry the bacteria without showing symptoms while still shedding it in their stool, potentially exposing family members.
Listeria monocytogenes poses additional risks and can cause severe illness in both pets and humans. Pet owners should thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces, bowls, or supplies that may have come into contact with the contaminated food.
This contamination incident highlights ongoing concerns about raw pet food safety and the importance of proper manufacturing controls. Pet owners should monitor their animals closely for any signs of illness and contact their veterinarian immediately if symptoms develop.