Listeria in Raaw Energy Dog Food: Which Batches to Throw Out and Why
A voluntary recall over possible Listeria contamination covers Raaw Energy dog food made between July and December 2025 plus one 2026 batch, with products reaching nine states.
Which Raaw Energy dog food batches are being recalled?
Raaw Energy issued a voluntary recall on May 22, 2026, covering dog food produced between July 17 and December 23, 2025, as well as a single Beef and Turkey Medley batch dated March 31, 2026. The recall follows possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Not every product from those periods tested positive for the bacteria, but some batches went untested, so the company is recalling all items made within those windows. Affected products were sold frozen, with orders placed through the company's website and picked up in person. The recall includes all flavors and package sizes from these production dates. Raaw Energy stated the action was taken out of an abundance of caution. The FDA published the recall notice on the same day. Production of dog food stopped on May 21, 2026, while the company investigates the issue and plans corrective actions.
How can I identify the recalled Raaw Energy dog food packages?
Recalled Raaw Energy products are packaged in 2-pound or 5-pound clear plastic tubes sealed at each end with a metal clip. The tubes are sold frozen in brown cardboard boxes containing 5 to 20 tubes per box. Each cardboard box has a white stick-on label that lists the product flavor, ingredients, and a date code. Check the date code: if it falls between July 17 and December 23, 2025, or if it reads March 31, 2026 for the Beef and Turkey Medley, the product is part of the recall. The recall applies to all flavors produced on those dates. Customers who ordered from Raaw Energy's website and picked up their orders in person should check every box in their freezer. Even if the food looks and smells normal, treat it as potentially contaminated. The company advises discarding any product with a matching date code rather than feeding it to your dog.
What are the symptoms of Listeria infection in humans?
People can become infected with Listeria monocytogenes by eating contaminated dog food or by touching contaminated surfaces such as bowls, utensils, or countertops and then touching their mouths. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, aches, fever, and diarrhea. Severe infections can spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system, including the brain, causing meningitis and potentially fatal conditions. Pregnant women are especially susceptible; the infection can result in miscarriage. Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk. The risk of illness is heightened when people do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling pet food, or when they fail to properly clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the product. Because the bacteria can survive on surfaces, cleaning is critical. Anyone who has handled the recalled product and develops these symptoms should consider that Listeria may be the cause, though no specific testing procedure has been provided.
Can dogs get sick from the recalled food?
Dogs can be infected with Listeria monocytogenes after eating contaminated food, but they may not show any symptoms at all. Infected pets, even those without symptoms, can act as carriers and transfer the bacteria through their feces and saliva. This means a seemingly healthy dog can still expose people in the household to Listeria. Specific symptoms for dogs are not listed; they can be infected without showing signs. Because of this carrier risk, the company urges pet owners to discard the recalled product securely so neither people nor animals can access it. If your dog has eaten the recalled food, you should monitor for any health changes, but absence of symptoms does not rule out infection. The bacteria can also contaminate the environment, so cleaning surfaces that the food touched is important to prevent spread. The risk of human illness from contaminated pet food is especially high when hands are not washed thoroughly after handling.
What should I do if I have recalled Raaw Energy dog food?
Do not feed the recalled Raaw Energy dog food to your dog. Discard it immediately in a secure manner so that neither people nor animals can access it. The company specifically asks that you dispose of the product in a way that prevents accidental exposure. Since the product is sold frozen in clear plastic tubes, you may need to thaw it first or place it in a sealed bag before throwing it away. After handling the product or its packaging, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean any bowls, utensils, countertops, or other surfaces that may have come into contact with the food. No particular cleaning agent is specified, but the risk of illness is reduced when surfaces are properly cleaned and hands are washed. Do not donate the product or give it to others. The company has temporarily stopped production, but that does not change the recall instructions. No contact number has been provided for questions.
How was the Listeria contamination detected?
Samples collected by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture tested some finished Raaw Energy products positive and others negative for Listeria monocytogenes. These tests were conducted on products from the same production periods that are now under recall. Because not all products were tested, the company decided to recall all items made during those dates rather than only the ones that tested positive. The exact number of samples tested or positive results is not available; both positive and negative results occurred. Bacterial contamination was identified during the same timeframe, and some products went untested. This testing led to the voluntary recall announced on May 22, 2026. The company's subsequent decision to halt production on May 21, 2026 was made after these findings.
What actions is Raaw Energy taking to prevent future contamination?
Raaw Energy will temporarily stop all dog food production effective May 21, 2026, to evaluate and correct the issues that led to the Listeria contamination. The company plans to resurface key areas to make them smoother, more sanitary, and easier to clean. All drains and sewer lines will be thoroughly cleaned and treated, and additional cleaning efforts will be made on the evaporators. The company will also strengthen quality control by purchasing a pathogen detection system and testing every batch of dog food. In a message to customers, Raaw Energy apologized for the inconvenience, stating: 'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. As a small business, we are committed to doing the right thing and correct any issues.' The company thanked customers for their patience and support as it works through the process. No date for resuming production has been given, but the company says it will focus on making improvements and ensuring products meet expected standards.
Compiled from published reference material: www.greatpetcare.com
