Dog Food Recalls in 2025-2026: A Complete Safety Guide

Recent Recalls: A Pattern Emerges

In 2025-2026 alone, the FDA documented over 30 dog food recalls. Notable incidents include Elite Treats LLC recalling Chicken Chips for Salmonella contamination (February 2026), Raaw Energy Dog Food pulled from shelves across eight product lots (January 2026), and Gold Star Distribution issuing a multi-product recall in December 2025.

The most common recall triggers are Salmonella and Listeria contamination (accounting for roughly 60% of recalls), excessive vitamin D levels (which can cause kidney failure), elevated aflatoxin from contaminated grain (a mold-produced toxin), and foreign material contamination (metal fragments, plastic pieces).

How the Recall System Works

Dog food recalls happen through three mechanisms:

Class I: A reasonable probability that the food will cause serious health consequences or death. These are the most urgent — stop feeding immediately.

Class II: The food may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. Risk of serious harm is remote but possible.

Class III: Not likely to cause adverse health consequences. These are typically labeling errors or minor deviations from quality standards.

Recalls can be initiated by the manufacturer (voluntary, which is most common), requested by the FDA, or mandated by the FDA (rare, used when a company refuses to cooperate). The FDA does not have pre-market approval authority over pet food — it acts after problems are identified.

How to Check If Your Dog's Food Is Recalled

Set up proactive monitoring through multiple channels:

FDA Pet Food Recalls Page: The official government source, updated as recalls are issued at fda.gov/animal-veterinary.

Dog Food Advisor Recall Alerts: Sign up for free email notifications at DogFoodAdvisor.com — they send alerts within hours of new recalls.

Check Lot Numbers: Every recall specifies affected lot numbers and 'best by' dates. These are printed on the bag, usually near the bottom seam. Photograph your bag's lot number when you open it so you always have the information available.

Subscribe to the Brand's Mailing List: Reputable brands notify their customers directly via email when recalls affect their products.

What to Do If Your Dog's Food Is Recalled

Act immediately if you discover a recall:

1. Stop feeding the food — do not attempt to 'use it up.' The risk isn't worth the remaining food value. 2. Seal the food in a bag and store it away from your dog. You may need to return it for a refund or submit it for testing. 3. Note the lot number, UPC, and 'best by' date from the packaging. 4. Contact the manufacturer for a refund. Most will issue full refunds for recalled products. 5. Report to the FDA if your dog shows symptoms — you can submit a Safety Reporting Portal complaint online. 6. See your vet if your dog shows any symptoms: lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or excessive thirst/urination.

Brands with the Best Safety Records

While no brand is immune to recalls, certain manufacturers demonstrate stronger quality control:

Brands that own their own manufacturing facilities have more control over the production process. Companies like Champion Petfoods (Orijen, Acana), Fromm Family Foods, and JustFoodForDogs maintain in-house production. Brands that co-manufacture (contract out production) are more dependent on their manufacturing partner's quality systems.

Look for brands that publish third-party testing results, participate in voluntary quality audits (like Safe Quality Food certification), and maintain transparent recall communication. A brand that has had recalls but handled them swiftly and transparently may actually be more trustworthy than one claiming to have never had issues.