FDA Issued Warning to Viva Raw Over Unresolved Safety
Pet owners should be aware that the manufacturer failed to document required safety improvements after a 2025 product recall.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Pet Health
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The FDA recently issued a warning letter to Viva Raw LLC regarding persistent safety concerns following a 2025 recall of two pet food lots. The company has not provided proof that it implemented necessary safety measures after products tested positive for harmful bacteria.
Why it matters
This warning highlights a failure to demonstrate that essential sanitation fixes were completed after products were found to contain pathogens. For pet owners, this indicates ongoing uncertainty regarding the safety protocols currently in place at the manufacturing facility.
The FDA warning, dated August 5, 2026, cites a lack of documentation for safety fixes following a 2025 recall of products sold across seven states. While no illnesses have been reported, officials identified Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes in the raw food.
The players
FDA
The federal agency responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of food and medical products.
Viva Raw LLC
A Charlotte-based manufacturer of raw pet food products that recently faced federal scrutiny regarding sanitation and recall compliance.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
A state-level agency that conducts routine testing and inspection of agricultural and food products to ensure regulatory compliance.
The details
The contamination was initially uncovered through routine testing conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Following the August 2025 recall, the FDA performed an inspection of the contract manufacturer from August 25 to 29. The agency issued the warning because the company failed to submit evidence that it corrected the underlying sanitation and production issues identified during that inspection.
Timeline
Recalled products were sold between July 2, 2025, and August 21, 2025.
Viva Raw issued a voluntary recall for two product lots on August 25, 2025.
The FDA inspected the contract manufacturer from August 25 to 29, 2025.
The FDA signed the official warning letter on August 5, 2026.
The agency made the warning letter public on September 22, 2026.
The Home Front
This regulatory action follows a trend of increased federal oversight regarding raw pet food safety and manufacturing standards. It signals a move toward stricter enforcement of sanitation reporting requirements for facilities that handle products susceptible to pathogen contamination.
If you have stored raw pet food, double-check your records to ensure none of the products were part of the 2025 recall lots. If your pet shows signs of illness, such as lethargy or fever, consult a veterinarian immediately regarding potential pathogen exposure.
The takeaway
The FDA warning serves as a reminder to maintain vigilance regarding pet food safety and company compliance records. Owners of raw food products should prioritize checking official manufacturer notifications for any updates on safety testing results.
Further reading
For more on keeping your animals safe, visit the Pet Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food Poison Journal.
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