Every FDA pet food recall in 2025–2026: what you need to know

Between 2003 and 2022, the FDA recorded 3,691 pet food recalls. Over half — 51% — were classified as Class I, the most serious category, meaning the products had a reasonable probability of causing serious health problems or death. And the pace hasn't slowed down.

Most dog owners never hear about recalls until it's too late. The FDA publishes them on their website, but unless you're checking that page regularly (you're not — nobody is), a recalled product could be sitting in your pantry right now.

This guide covers what you need to know about pet food recalls, how the system works, and what to do if your dog's food shows up on the list.

How the recall system works

Pet food recalls in the U.S. come from two sources: the FDA can request or mandate a recall, or the manufacturer can voluntarily recall a product after discovering a problem. Most recalls are technically "voluntary," but many come after the FDA has identified contamination through testing or after illness reports from pet owners.

Recalls are classified into three levels based on severity.

Class I is the most serious. These are situations where there's a reasonable probability that consuming the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Salmonella contamination, elevated levels of aflatoxin (a toxic mold byproduct), and pentobarbital contamination (a euthanasia drug found in rendered ingredients) have all triggered Class I recalls.

Class II means there's a remote probability of adverse health consequences. Elevated vitamin D levels, incorrect labeling of allergens, and minor contamination issues often fall here.

Class III covers products that are unlikely to cause health problems but violate FDA regulations — typically labeling issues or minor formulation errors.

Common reasons for pet food recalls

Salmonella contamination is the most frequent trigger. Salmonella can sicken dogs directly and also poses a risk to the humans handling the food. Dry kibble, raw food, and treats have all been recalled for Salmonella over the years.

Aflatoxin contamination is particularly dangerous. Aflatoxins are produced by mold that grows on corn and other grains used in pet food manufacturing. At high levels, aflatoxins cause liver damage and can be fatal. A major aflatoxin-related recall in 2020–2021 was linked to over 100 pet deaths.

Excess vitamin D has triggered multiple recalls. While vitamin D is essential in small amounts, elevated levels cause kidney failure in dogs. Several brands have been recalled after manufacturing errors led to vitamin D levels far above safe limits.

Foreign material contamination — metal fragments, plastic pieces, or bone fragments — triggers recalls when the manufacturing process fails to catch physical contaminants.

Listeria contamination is less common but has affected pet foods, particularly raw and frozen products.

What to do if your dog's food is recalled

Stop feeding it immediately. This seems obvious, but many owners continue using a recalled product because their dog "seems fine." The effects of contamination — especially aflatoxin — can take weeks to manifest, and by then significant organ damage may have occurred.

Check the specific lot numbers. Not every bag of a recalled brand is affected. Recalls specify lot numbers, expiration dates, and UPC codes. Check the bag you have against the recall notice before throwing it away or before assuming you're in the clear.

Contact your vet if your dog has been eating the recalled food. Even if your dog isn't showing symptoms, your vet may recommend bloodwork to check liver and kidney function, especially for aflatoxin or vitamin D recalls.

Report illness to the FDA. If your dog has been sick and you suspect the food, file a report through the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal. These reports are what trigger investigations that lead to recalls in the first place.

Find a replacement. This is the hardest part when a recall hits your dog's primary food. You need a product with a similar nutritional profile that doesn't trigger your dog's allergies and is appropriate for their life stage. Switching food abruptly can cause digestive upset, so ideally transition over 7–10 days — but if the recall is Class I, stop the old food immediately and accept a few days of stomach adjustment.

How to stay ahead of recalls

Checking the FDA recall page manually isn't realistic for most people. You can sign up for FDA email alerts, but they're not always timely and they cover all food products, not just pet food — so the signal gets lost in noise.

Some pet food review sites maintain recall databases, but they require you to actively check them. The fundamental problem is that the recall notification system is passive: the information is available, but nobody pushes it to the people who need it most — the owners currently feeding that product to their dogs.

This is one of the core problems Luca is designed to solve. Luca scans the FDA recall database daily and cross-references it against the products in your dog's profile. If a product you're buying gets recalled, Luca removes it from your next cart, alerts you immediately, and finds a safe substitute that matches your dog's nutritional needs and preferences. You don't have to check anything — the information comes to you, with an action plan attached.