Federal health officials are urging pet owners across the United States to immediately check their freezers after an expanded recall involving frozen raw dog food products raised concerns over possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially dangerous bacteria capable of sickening both animals and humans.
The recall involves products sold under the Raaw Energy brand and now includes dozens of frozen raw dog food items manufactured between July 17, 2025, and December 23, 2025, as well as one batch of “Beef and Turkey Medley” marked with a March 31, 2026, production date. The expanded recall was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after additional testing and ongoing investigations connected some products to bacterial contamination concerns.
According to federal officials, the recalled products were distributed primarily through direct customer pickup and online ordering in several eastern states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The products were packaged frozen in clear plastic tubes inside cardboard boxes labeled with flavor information and manufacturing dates.
The FDA stated that the recall expansion followed laboratory testing that detected Listeria monocytogenes in certain product samples. Earlier public health advisories involving the same company had also warned consumers about additional bacterial concerns involving Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli contamination discovered in separate samples earlier this year.
Listeria monocytogenes is considered especially dangerous because it can affect both pets consuming the food and humans handling contaminated products or surfaces. Veterinary experts warn that infected animals may experience fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, or neurological symptoms. Some pets may carry the bacteria without appearing visibly ill, increasing the possibility of spreading contamination throughout homes and kitchens.
Federal health officials also emphasized that people can become infected while handling contaminated pet food, washing food bowls, cleaning storage containers, or touching surfaces exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms in humans may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue. In severe cases, listeria infections can lead to hospitalization, bloodstream infections, or complications involving the nervous system.
Pregnant women, elderly individuals, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are considered to face the highest risk of serious illness from listeria exposure. Health officials noted that pregnant women may experience only mild symptoms while the infection poses significant dangers to unborn children.
The recall arrives as federal agencies continue responding to increasing concerns surrounding foodborne illness outbreaks nationwide. Public health officials have intensified monitoring efforts involving refrigerated and frozen food products following several recent large-scale recalls connected to bacterial contamination.
Consumers who purchased any recalled Raaw Energy products are being advised to immediately stop feeding the food to pets and dispose of it securely in a sealed container to prevent accidental exposure to animals or wildlife. Officials are also recommending that pet owners thoroughly sanitize refrigerators, freezers, countertops, pet bowls, feeding utensils, and any other surfaces that may have come into contact with the products.
The FDA further warned consumers not to donate, sell, or redistribute recalled pet food under any circumstances. Anyone experiencing symptoms after handling the products or whose pets become ill after consuming the recalled food is encouraged to contact a medical professional or veterinarian promptly.
Company officials have reportedly suspended portions of production while evaluating manufacturing practices and reviewing corrective safety measures as the investigation continues.