Eight lots of Raaw Energy dog food have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Campylobacter jejuni, according to an FDA advisory issued January 23. The agency asked the company to recall the contaminated products. Raaw Energy has refused.
The contamination was discovered after a dog owner in Connecticut reported their pet had become ill. State agriculture departments in Connecticut and New Jersey collected and tested eight unopened product samples. All eight tested positive for at least one pathogenic bacterium. The FDA is now warning consumers nationwide to stop feeding the product immediately and dispose of any remaining food in a secure container where other animals cannot access it.
What’s Affected
Raaw Energy sells raw frozen dog food directly online. Customers order through the company’s website and pick up products in person. The food comes in 2-pound or 5-pound clear plastic tubes sealed with metal clips, packaged in brown cardboard boxes containing 10 tubes each. The products don’t carry traditional lot codes. Instead, batches are identified by date codes printed on white stickers on both the tubes and the outer box.
The FDA advisory covers specific date codes, which pet owners can find on the product packaging. Anyone with affected products should throw them away, not donate them. Surfaces, bowls, and utensils that came into contact with the food should be cleaned and disinfected.
Why There’s No Recall
The FDA can request a recall, but cannot force one for pet food unless the product poses an imminent health hazard under specific statutory authority. When companies refuse voluntary recalls, the FDA’s main tool is public advisories like this one, warning consumers directly. That puts the burden on pet owners to check their pantries and freezers themselves.
This situation is unusual. Most companies comply with FDA recall requests to protect their customers and their brand. When a company declines, it raises questions about its commitment to consumer safety and often accelerates regulatory scrutiny.
Raw Pet Food and the Risk Picture
The Raw Energy advisory adds to a difficult stretch for raw pet food. Earlier this year, the FDA linked raw cat food from Savage Cat Foods to H5N1 bird flu infections in cats in New York City, prompting a voluntary recall. Since December 2022, more than 130 domestic cats across the country have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, and many of those infections have been traced to raw food products or raw milk.
Raw pet diets have grown popular among owners who believe they offer nutritional benefits over processed kibble. But raw meat carries inherent risks: bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli can survive in uncooked products and sicken both pets and the humans who handle their food. The FDA, AVMA, and CDC have all cautioned against feeding raw diets, particularly in homes with young children, elderly adults, or immunocompromised individuals.
Meanwhile, Another Recall Spreads
The Raaw Energy advisory comes on the heels of a massive, unrelated recall from Gold Star Distribution in Minnesota. That recall, announced in late December, covers nearly 2,000 products stored at a Minneapolis warehouse where FDA inspectors found rodent feces, rodent urine, and bird droppings in storage areas. The recall includes pet food alongside human food, medications, and cosmetics. Brands affected include Purina products distributed through that facility. The FDA classified it as Class II, meaning products may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences.
A separate recall in late December pulled Country Vet and Heartland Harvest dog biscuits from stores in seven states over potential Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported from any of these recalls so far.
What This Means for Pet Owners
A pet sickened by contaminated food can rack up veterinary bills fast. Treatment for Salmonella or E. coli infections may include IV fluids, hospitalization, antibiotics, and follow-up care. Depending on severity, costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Pet insurance typically covers illness treatment, including foodborne infections, as long as the condition wasn’t pre-existing at enrollment. If you’re weighing whether coverage makes sense, comparing the best pet insurance companies can help you understand what’s available and what different policies actually cover.
Premiums remain relatively affordable. The average monthly cost sits at about $43 for dogs and $23 for cats, according to recent Insurify data. That’s less than a single vet visit in most parts of the country. Checking current pet insurance rates for your pet’s breed and age can give you a clearer sense of what you’d actually pay.
What to Watch
The FDA encourages pet owners to report problems with pet food through its Safety Reporting Portal. If your dog has eaten Raaw Energy food and shows symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian. Human family members who handled the food should also monitor for symptoms, as these bacteria can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or infected pets.
Recalls and advisories like this one are a reminder that pet food safety is not guaranteed, even from brands that market themselves as premium or health-focused. Staying current on FDA alerts, checking lot codes, and understanding what your insurance does (and doesn’t) cover are all part of being a prepared pet owner in 2026.
