Answers Pet Food Voluntarily Withdrawals Certain Lots Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria

September 22, 2024 Lystn, LLC d.b.a./ANSWERS Pet Food of Fleetwood, PA, is voluntarily withdrawing certain lots of ANSWERS Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs, ANSWERS Straight Beef Formula for Dogs, and ANSWERS Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs after samples collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were reported to have tested positive for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. 

No illnesses associated with these lots have been confirmed.

What was recalled?

The affected products are sold frozen in 4-pound (half-gallon) cartons and consist of certain batches of Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs, Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs, and Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs.

Here is the product information for the affected lots. Answers does not use lot codes but the affected batches can be identified by a “Best Used By Date” (BUBD) sticker on the product carton.

PRODUCT NAME/UPC	Best Buy / Expiration	UPC/bar code number
Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs	May 06 2026	856554002102
Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs	Jan 31 2026	856554002072
Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs	Jan 02 2026	856554002065
Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs	Mar 11 2026	856554002065

What to do

If you have any of the Answers Pet Food products listed above, stop feeding them to your pets and throw them away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access them. Do not donate the food.

If you no longer have the packaging and/or can’t see the Best Used By Date, throw the food away. 

You should clean and disinfect all pet-related products and areas in your home, including storage containers, bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with, including your refrigerator or freezer. 

Clean up the pet’s feces in places where people or other animals may become exposed. Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the product or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.

Company statement

You can read the company announcement by Lystn, LLC d.b.a./ANSWERS Pet Food here.

Why are Salmonella and Listeria a problem?

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that can cause illness and death in both humans and animals, although dogs are less likely to be affected than humans. 

Those who are very young, very old, pregnant or have weak immune systems are more vulnerable.

You can read more on the subject in this article: Can Dogs Get Salmonella?

Reporting pet food problems

The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. Additionally, consumers can visit the SmartHub – Safety Intake Portal – Report a Product Problem (fda.gov) to obtain electronic assistance with submitting a report.

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians. 

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