Why Pet Food Gets Recalled and What Triggers an Investigation

Pet food gets recalled when the manufacturer discovers or regulators find contamination, mislabeling, or a safety hazard that could harm your pet

A recall happens after someone — usually the company itself, a veterinarian, or a pet owner — reports a problem. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) investigates if there's reason to believe the food poses a health risk. If the investigation confirms a genuine hazard, the FDA works with the manufacturer to pull the product from shelves. Some recalls are voluntary, meaning the company initiated it. Others are FDA-requested or FDA-mandated, meaning regulators ordered it.

The most common triggers are bacterial contamination like salmonella or E. coli, mold toxins, physical objects in the food, or incorrect ingredient labeling. A recall doesn't always mean pets have gotten sick — sometimes it's issued as a precaution after contamination is found during testing or manufacturing.

Key Takeaways

• Recalls start when contamination, mold, bacteria, or mislabeling is discovered, usually by the manufacturer or reported by a veterinarian or pet owner.
• The FDA investigates reported problems and works with manufacturers to remove affected batches from stores.
• Bacterial contamination like salmonella and mold toxins are the most frequent causes of recalls.
• You can check the FDA's pet food recall database by brand name, product type, or date to see if your pet's food has been recalled.
• Keeping your receipt or bag label with the batch or lot number helps you confirm whether your specific purchase is affected.

Bacterial contamination and mold toxins cause most recalls

Salmonella and E. coli are the bacteria most often found in recalled pet food. These grow when raw ingredients aren't handled properly, when equipment isn't cleaned between batches, or when finished food is stored in warm or damp conditions. Salmonella can sicken your pet directly, and it can also spread to your household — you can pick it up from handling contaminated food or from your pet's mouth and paws.

Mold toxins, called aflatoxins, develop in grains like corn and peanuts when they're stored improperly or when moisture gets into the bag. A pet eating food with aflatoxins may show no symptoms for days or weeks, then suddenly become very ill with liver damage. Because the toxin builds up over time, pets that eat the contaminated food for longer periods face greater risk.

Both types of contamination can slip through if a manufacturer doesn't test raw ingredients before use or doesn't test finished batches before shipping. Some recalls happen because a supplier provided contaminated ingredients without disclosing it.

Mislabeling and missing or wrong ingredients

A recall can also be issued when the label doesn't match what's actually in the bag. This might mean an allergen isn't listed — for example, a food labeled "chicken only" that actually contains beef, which matters for a pet with a beef allergy. Or it might mean the ingredient list is incomplete or the may provide analysis (the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber) is wrong.

Sometimes a manufacturer discovers they accidentally packaged the wrong formula into a bag — a weight-management food ended up in bags labeled as regular formula, for instance. Other times, a critical ingredient like a vitamin or mineral was left out during production, which could cause nutritional deficiency over time.

Mislabeling recalls are often lower-risk than contamination recalls, but they still matter if your pet has specific dietary needs or allergies.

Physical objects and manufacturing errors

Recalls also happen when foreign objects turn up in the food — glass, plastic, metal fragments, or stones. These can cause choking, mouth injuries, or broken teeth. A recall for physical contamination usually means something went wrong on the production line: a piece of equipment broke, a container cracked, or quality control missed the problem during inspection.

Manufacturing errors that don't involve contamination can also trigger recalls. If a batch was cooked at the wrong temperature, for example, it might not kill bacteria that should have been eliminated. If a preservative wasn't added, the food might spoil faster than the shelf life printed on the bag.

How the FDA investigates and decides on a recall

When the FDA receives a report of illness or contamination, they ask for details: what product, what batch number, when was it purchased, and what symptoms did the pet show. They may request a sample of the food for laboratory testing. If testing confirms contamination or if multiple reports point to the same product, the FDA contacts the manufacturer.

The manufacturer then decides whether to recall voluntarily or the FDA may request or mandate one. A voluntary recall is faster — the company can announce it immediately and start retrieving product. An FDA-requested recall gives the company a deadline to act. An FDA-mandated recall means the company must comply or face legal action.

The FDA publishes each recall on its website with the product name, affected batch numbers or date codes, the reason for the recall, and the risk level. You can search this database by brand, product type, or date.

What batch and lot numbers tell you

When a recall is announced, the FDA specifies which batches are affected. A batch or lot number is printed on the bag — usually on the back or bottom — and identifies when and where the food was made. If your bag's lot number falls within the recalled range, your food is affected. If it doesn't, your food is safe.

This is why keeping your receipt or the bag itself matters. If you throw away the bag immediately, you won't be able to check the lot number later if a recall is announced. Write down the lot number when you buy a new bag, or take a photo of it. If a recall happens, you can quickly confirm whether you need to stop feeding it.

Some manufacturers print lot numbers in a code — for example, "20240315A" might mean March 15, 2024, batch A. The FDA's recall notice explains how to read the code for that specific product.

What to do if your pet's food is recalled

Stop feeding the recalled food immediately. Contact your veterinarian, especially if your pet has eaten it for more than a few days or if you notice any change in appetite, energy, digestion, or behavior. Your vet may recommend monitoring at home or may want to see your pet and run tests depending on the contamination type.

Return the food to the store where you bought it, or contact the manufacturer for a refund or replacement. Keep your receipt. If you bought it online, follow the retailer's return process. Some manufacturers will also accept returns by mail if you provide proof of purchase.

Report the recall to the FDA if you haven't already — you can do this through their website or by calling your local FDA office. This helps the agency track how widespread the problem is and whether the recall needs to be expanded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my pet's food has been recalled?

Search the FDA's pet food recall database on their website by brand name or product type. You can also sign up for email alerts from the FDA or check your pet food manufacturer's website. If you have the lot number from your bag, you can compare it directly to the recalled batch numbers listed in the recall notice.

Can my pet get sick from eating recalled food before I find out about the recall?

It depends on the contamination type and how long your pet ate it. Bacterial contamination can cause illness within days, while mold toxins may take weeks to cause visible symptoms. If your pet ate recalled food, contact your veterinarian even if your pet seems fine — some illnesses take time to show.

What should I do if I already fed my pet the recalled food?

Call your veterinarian and describe what your pet ate, when, and for how long. Your vet can advise whether monitoring at home is enough or whether your pet should be examined. Bring the bag or lot number with you if you go in, so your vet knows exactly what contamination to watch for.

Do I have to throw away the recalled food or can I return it?

Most retailers and manufacturers accept returns of recalled food for a refund or replacement. Check your receipt to see where you bought it, then contact that store or the manufacturer. Some will ask you to mail the bag back; others may let you dispose of it at home. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.

Why do some recalls take a long time to announce?

Testing contamination takes time — the FDA and manufacturer may need days or weeks to confirm the problem through laboratory analysis. If only a few cases are reported, it may take longer to identify a pattern. Once a pattern is clear and contamination is confirmed, the recall is announced publicly.