FDA Issued Warning Letter to Viva Raw
The regulatory body cited the pet food manufacturer for failing to document necessary safety improvements.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Pet Health
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The FDA has issued a formal warning letter to Viva Raw LLC regarding outstanding safety concerns following a 2025 product recall. The company reportedly failed to provide documentation verifying that mandatory safety protocols were implemented at its manufacturing facility.
Why it matters
The warning serves to hold manufacturers accountable for addressing contamination risks identified during regulatory inspections. Ensuring these corrective actions are documented is critical for preventing future outbreaks of foodborne illnesses in pets and humans.
Viva Raw recalled six frozen raw food products across seven states during the 2025 period. Products sold between July 2 and August 21, 2025, tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes.
The players
Viva Raw LLC
A pet food company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specializes in raw feeding products.
Food and Drug Administration
The federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and other products.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
A state agency that oversees agricultural development and consumer protection, including product testing.
The details
The regulatory action follows an FDA inspection of the company's contract manufacturer conducted in August 2025. Contamination was initially discovered through routine testing performed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, though no illnesses were reported.
Timeline
Recalled pet food was sold to customers from July 2, 2025, to August 21, 2025.
Viva Raw recalled two lots of products on August 25, 2025.
The FDA inspected the contract manufacturer from August 25 to 29, 2025.
The FDA signed the warning letter on August 5, 2026.
The FDA publicly posted the warning letter on September 22, 2026.
Culture Shift
The increased scrutiny of raw pet food manufacturing reflects a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing pet nutrition and stringent food safety transparency. This regulatory action follows the preventive control standards established by the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Pet owners should verify if they possess any remaining products from the 2025 recall, as these items should not be fed to animals. Owners who suspect their pets have consumed contaminated food should monitor for signs of illness and contact a veterinarian if a fever or other symptoms develop.
The takeaway
Maintaining rigorous hygiene standards is essential for all pet food manufacturers to prevent cross-contamination in their products. Consumers are encouraged to regularly check the FDA recall portal for updates on products they feed their animals.
Further reading
Learn more about regulatory standards in the Pet Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food Poison Journal.
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