On October 9, 2025, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) posted a voluntary recall by Foodynamics of certain lots of freeze-dried pet treat products sold under the brands Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, Kanu Pets and What’s In the Bowl because of the potential contamination with the bacterium Salmonella.
According to the FDA notice:
- The recalled products are freeze-dried chicken hearts and similar treats for dogs and/or cats.
- Foodynamics reportedly traced 100% of the distribution of the affected product lots and has contacted direct customers. No adverse health effects have been reported in pets or humans to date.
- The recall is the result of FDA sampling which revealed the presence of Salmonella in the identified lots.
- The initial recall notice had to be corrected because some packages were mis-identified and a lot number was included that was not distributed. The correction clarifies brand, product, and lot details.
Affected Products & Lot Information
Here are some of the key details for the affected product lots (as per the corrected FDA posting):
Raw Dog Barkery brand (for dogs & cats):
- Whole Chicken Hearts, 16 oz (1 lb) — Use By / Lot # 030527
- (Also earlier reporting showed 3 oz size)
What’s In the Bowl brand: - Whole Chicken Hearts, 3 oz and 16 oz — Use By / Lot # 030527
BellePepper Cats brand: - Freeze Dried Chicken Heart Slices, 3 oz — Use By / Lot # 031627
- Freeze-dried sample treats (unpackaged & unlabeled), ~0.1 oz — Lot #s 121426, 011526
Kanu Pets brand: - Freeze Dried Chicken Heart Raw Treats, 3 oz — Use By / Lot # 031627
The affected products were distributed to specific retailers: in Wisconsin (WI), New York (NY) and Florida (FL). In Wisconsin: the retailer locations included SimplyDried Treats and Magpies Gourmet Dog Treats and What’s In the Bowl in Delafield.
Why This Matters: Salmonella Risk in Pet Products
Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen not only for humans but for animals as well. Pets that consume contaminated products may become ill (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy) and importantly, humans can be infected by handling contaminated pet food or treats and then touching hands, surfaces or their own mouth. The FDA’s notice emphasizes this human‐handling risk.
Though there have been no reported illnesses yet associated with this recall, the very presence of Salmonella in the product warrants swift action. Because pet treats are handled by people (owners) who may not use the same hygiene safeguards as with human food, the risk is real and must be taken seriously.
What Pet Owners & Retailers Should Do
If you own or sold one of the affected products, here are the recommended steps:
- Check your product: If you have pet treats from the brands listed (Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, Kanu Pets, What’s In the Bowl) check for the specific lot numbers and Use By codes above.
- Stop using the product immediately: Do not feed it to your pet. Do not just assume it’s safe because the pet seems fine.
- Return or dispose of the product: Contact the retailer or manufacturer for instructions. Ensure safe disposal or return to avoid cross‐contamination of other surfaces.
- Wash hands & surfaces: If you handled the product, packaging or a pet that consumed it, thoroughly wash your hands and clean surfaces to minimise risk to humans.
- Monitor your pet: If your pet shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, contact your veterinarian and mention the recall.
- Seek medical attention for humans: If you experience symptoms (diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps) after handling a suspect product, inform your healthcare provider of the possible Salmonella exposure via pet treat.
- Retailers/distributors should quarantine all recalled lots, follow manufacturer/recall instructions, and ensure removal from sale. The manufacturer has indicated it contacted direct customers and instructed retailers to examine inventory.
Broader Implications & Safety Reminder
This recall highlights several key issues:
- Even premium or niche pet‐treat brands are not immune from contamination risk—freeze-dried, raw, “natural” or “premium” claims do not guarantee safety.
- Pet food/treats are part of the human‐food chain insofar as handling by humans is involved; owners and retailers must treat them with the same hygiene caution used for human food.
- Traceability and prompt recall are essential. In this case, Foodynamics was able to trace distribution and contact customers. That said, only seven packages may have been impacted (note: some sources say “seven packages” in total) which may limit exposure—but the risk remains.
- Ongoing environmental monitoring, sanitation protocols, and quality‐control in pet‐food manufacturing are critical. The FDA sampling detected the issue; manufacturing must respond, investigate root cause, adjust protocols, and inform consumers.
In Summary
The voluntary recall by Foodynamics of selected lots of freeze-dried chicken-heart pet treats sold under several brands is a significant reminder that Salmonella contamination can appear even in freeze‐dried pet products. While no illnesses have been reported so far, pet owners should act immediately if they have the implicated products: stop using them, safely dispose or return them, and practice good hygiene. Retailers must follow recall instructions and quarantine impacted inventory.
Staying informed about such recalls helps protect pets and human family members.
