Viva Recalls Turkey And Puppy Recipes Due To Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

July 2, 2024 One lot of Viva Turkey For Dogs, Viva Beef & Turkey For Puppies, Viva Turkey For Dogs (Ground), Viva Turkey For Dogs (Chunked) and Viva Turkey For Cats was recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

What was recalled?

A single lot was recalled by Viva, Lot 21244, distributed as single frozen 1lb bricks in clear vacuum packaging.

The affected lot was shipped to customers between 05/16/24 and 06/28/24. Viva has contacted all customers who received lots shipped during those dates as a precaution, even if they didn’t receive the affected lot.

Listeria can affect animals who consume the product as well as humans handling the food, in particular if they don’t wash their hands after handling the product or not sanitizing the surfaces the food came into contact with.

The FDA discovered the lot was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes during an inspection. All products within Lot 21244 were planned to be destroyed, and Viva recalled all products from this lot that had gone out to third-party suppliers.

The lot includes the following recipes:

• Viva Turkey for Dogs Ground
• Viva Turkey for Dogs Chunked
• Viva Turkey for Cats
• Viva Pure Turkey
• Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies

A customer email revealed that some of the products within the affected lot had been released from third-party warehouses. As a result, Viva made the FDA aware and, after receiving approval from them, expanded the recall to notify all its customers. 

What to do?

Please check your freezer or fridge for any Viva dog food products from Lot 21244. If you find any, destroy it in a manner whereby no children, pets or wildlife can consume it. Email Viva at [email protected] or call/text the company at (919) 371-8882 between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST Monday to Friday to report the issue and receive a refund.

Ensure you handle the food correctly: the FDA recommends you do not touch it with bare hands. Wear plastic gloves or use paper towels to dispose of the product in a sealed plastic bag in the garbage, and thoroughly sanitize all surfaces afterwards.

If you discover you’ve fed some of the affected lot to your dog, monitor them for symptoms including lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea or fever. Pets can also be infected with Listeria monocytogenes without showing any symptoms and can act as carriers, passing it on through their feces and saliva to other members of the household. Therefore it’s important if you observe any of the above symptoms, or other symptoms that you’re worried about, that you contact your veterinary surgeon immediately. 

Company statement

“We wanted to share additional information regarding our recent recall of Turkey and Puppy recipes from Lot 21244. Out of an abundance of caution we have notified all customers who purchased this product in a certain timeframe, however, only Lot 21244 is affected. At the bottom of this page, you will find the full notice that was emailed to our potentially affected customers.

Background

During an inspection, FDA tested samples of Viva Turkey for Dogs and found samples from Lot 21244 were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. All products produced in Lot 21244 were slated for destruction and we conducted a recall directly with the 3rd party warehouses with whom we work.

After receiving a customer email, we realized some product from this lot was inadvertently released from the 3rd party warehouses. We promptly made the FDA aware and as soon as we received their review & approval, expanded the recall to notify our customers.

Our Actions

In addition to direct correspondence with potentially affected customers, we are also providing answers to commonly asked questions below.

If you still have questions after reviewing all the information and would like to reach us, you can do so at [email protected] or at 919-371-8882 from Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm EST. We are eager to help you and know that the health & safety of your pets always come first.”

You can see the recall page on the Viva website here.

Reporting pet food problems

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to the FDA’s “Report a Pet Food Complaint” page.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.