Raw dog food recall grows to more than 180 lots amid contamination concerns and reported illnesses

A recall of raw frozen dog food has expanded from 8 contaminated lots to more than 180 after additional testing detected Listeria monocytogenes in products sold across the northeast.

On May 22, 2026, Raaw Energy, a raw-diet company that sells frozen dog food online for in-person pickup, voluntarily recalled all products manufactured between July 17, 2025, and December 23, 2025, along with 1 additional lot of Beef and Turkey Medley bearing the date code 3.31.26.^1,2

The expanded recall follows additional testing by federal and state officials. In January 2026, the FDA issued an advisory after agriculture officials in Connecticut and New Jersey tested 8 unopened samples of Raaw Energy frozen dog food following a consumer complaint involving a sick dog. Every sample tested positive for L monocytogenes, according to the agency. Several also tested positive for Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni.¹

The FDA recommended Raaw Energy initiate a recall at the time, but the company did not take what the agency considered adequate action.¹

Last week, the company issued a voluntary recall after the New Jersey Department of Agriculture tested 4 additional samples from the same production period. All 4 tested positive for L monocytogenes.¹

Raaw Energy said it decided to recall all products manufactured during that window "out of an abundance of caution."²

"Some products produced during this time frame were not tested, and bacterial presence was identified during the same period,” the company wrote in its announcement.² "As a result, products manufactured within these dates could possibly be affected."

According to the FDA, the federal agency has received additional consumer complaints involving animals that became ill after eating the recalled food since the agency’s January advisory.¹

Affected products were distributed to customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.²

What the company says

Raaw Energy shut down all production on May 21, 2026, one day before announcing the expanded recall. In its public statement, the company said the move was needed to address ongoing issues.

"This pause is necessary so we can carefully evaluate current issues, address them properly, and take appropriate corrective actions," the company said.²

Raaw Energy said it plans to include resurfacing and sanitizing production areas, cleaning drains and sewer lines, and buying a pathogen detection system to test every batch going forward.²

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As a small business, we are committed to doing the right thing," the company added.²

The company’s response follows FDA criticism earlier this year that its initial actions did not go far enough after contaminated products were first identified.¹

What this means for people and pets

The FDA warned that infected pets may shed Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter in saliva and feces even when they appear clinically normal, creating ongoing exposure risks for people and other animals in the household. The agency said the highest-risk groups include young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and individuals who are immunocompromised.¹

People who purchased Raaw Energy products are being advised to immediately discard food with date codes within the recall window. Consumers should throw the product away in a secure container that other animals, including wildlife, cannot reach. They should not donate the food.

The FDA also advises disinfecting surfaces or materials that may have come into contact with the food or exposed animals, including bowls, litter boxes, bedding, food prep surfaces, storage containers, refrigerators, freezers, toys, and floors.¹

Pets exposed to the contaminated food may develop vomiting, fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, or diarrhea, including hemorrhagic diarrhea. Asymptomatic infection is also possible.¹ Freezing does not eliminate Listeria, Salmonella, or Campylobacter contamination.¹

Consumers can identify affected products using the manufacturing date code printed on white stickers attached to both the plastic tube packaging and outer cardboard box. Because Raaw Energy does not use conventional lot numbering, the date code is the only way to identify an affected batch.¹

The complete list of recalled products and manufacturing date codes is available on the FDA’s advisory page. Clients can report pet illnesses through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal or by contacting Raaw Energy directly at 732-414-1446.

References

1. FDA advisory: do not feed eight lots of Raaw Energy dog food due to contamination with harmful bacteria. FDA. January 23, 2026. Updated May 22, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-advisory-do-not-feed-eight-lots-raaw-energy-dog-food-due-contamination-harmful-bacteria#May2026
2. Raaw Energy expands recall of dog food because of Listeria monocytogenes health risk. FDA. May 22, 2026. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/raaw-energy-expands-recall-dog-food-because-listeria-monocytogenes-health-risk