On Sept. 23, 2024 federal health regulators announced a warning to pet owners after samples of two Answers Pet Food products tested positive for salmonella, a third tested positive for listeria, and a fourth tested positive for both.
The affected products were sold in frozen four-pound, or half-gallon, cartons and batches of Answers Pet Food and include the following brand names:
- Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs
- Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs
The products have been sold online and through various retailers across the United States, and “These products should not be fed to pets,” the notice said.
Affected products can be identified by a “Best Used By Date” sticker on the carton of the product, the FDA said. These include:
- Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs with a UPC/bar code number of 856554002102 and “Best Used by Date” of May 6, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs with a UPC/bar code number of 856554002072 and a “Best Used by Date” of Jan. 31, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs with a UPC/bar code number of 856554002065 and a “Best Used by Date” of Jan. 2, 2026
- Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs with a UPC/bar code number of 856554002065 and a “Best Used by Date” of March 11, 2026
According to the FDA, the company has not recalled the products but has enacted a voluntary withdrawal instead. The distinction between a market withdrawal and a recall is a withdrawal is a “removal or correction of a distributed product” that “involves a minor violation that would not be subject to legal action by the FDA.” Whereas a recall happens when a “marketed product that the FDA considers to be in violation of the laws it administers requires it to be withdrawn.”
So far, no illnesses have been reported with the recalled lots, but the FDA claims that the “firm has not initiated an adequate recall of the affected products.” It is still unclear if the FDA will take any action against Answers Pet Food.
In the meantime, if your pets have ingested any of the identified foods with, please monitor their possible symptoms of Salmonella and Listeria.
Salmonella Symptoms:
Symptoms of salmonella in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, a loss of appetite, decreased activity, abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes, increased heart rate, and depression.
Listeria Symptoms:
Listeria is a rare illness in dogs, but the FDA warns that it is possible. Mild symptoms can include diarrhea and vomiting.
Humans can contract listeria by handling contaminated pet food or touching surfaces exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms in people can include fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
If you or your pet experiences any of these symptoms, it is recommended you seek immediate medical attention.