Pet food recall: Viva Raw cat and dog products could carry listeria risk

A North Carolina-based company selling raw pet foods is recalling several products over concerns of listeria contamination.

Viva Raw LLC of Hillsborough is voluntarily notifying customers who bought products manufactured under Lot 21244, including five different products, as the lot is contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the a Monday release from the U.S. Food and Drug Association.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause potentially fatal infections in pets that ingest contaminated foods, according to the FDA. Humans who become infected, either through contact with the pets or leftover foods, could have nausea, vomiting, aches, fever and diarrhea, or more serious and even fatal illnesses.

No illnesses related to this contamination have been reported as of Monday, the FDA release states.

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Contaminated products shipped to all 50 states

The pet foods, which were shipped in frozen one-pound bricks, were shipped to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The products made under Lot 21244 being recalled include:

• Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground
• Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked
• Viva Turkey for Cats
• Viva Pure Turkey
• Viva Beef &Turkey for Puppies

Listeria illnesses in pets are rare, but some could show symptoms, the FDA states. Other infected pets may not show symptoms, but could act as carriers to humans.

Those with products manufactured under Lot 21244 should contact Viva Raw at info@vivarawpets.com to receive a refund on remaining product. The FDA instructed those with remaining contaminated product should destroy it so no children, pets or wild animals could access and use gloves when handling.