Albright's Raw recalls chicken dog food

Raw dog food is back in the recall headlines — this time because of possible Salmonella contamination in a chicken product sold for dogs. Albright’s Raw Pet Food, a Fort Wayne, Indiana company, pulled one lot of its Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balanced after routine FDA sampling turned up the problem. The recall was announced by the company on May 6 and posted by FDA on May 7. That timing matters because this is the point where people are supposed to stop thinking “maybe” and start checking their freezers. ### What exactly got recalled? The recalled product is Albright’s Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balanced in frozen 1-pound bricks, packed in clear vacuum-sealed wrapping and generally shipped in 30-pound cases. The lot code is C001730 and the best-by date is April 28, 2027. This is a one-lot recall, not a blanket pull of every Albright’s product. (fda.gov) ### Where was it sold? The product went out nationwide through direct-to-consumer sales, online orders, and select retailers. Reports tied the retail distribution to stores in Massachusetts, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and New York — but the online piece is why the recall is broader than a six-state map might suggest. If someone bought this brand from a freezer case or had it shipped, they need to check the lot code, not assume geography protects them. (fda.gov) ### Why is Salmonella such a big deal here? Because raw pet food creates two exposure paths at once. Dogs can get sick from eating contaminated food, and people can get sick from handling the food, touching contaminated bowls, or cleaning up after an infected pet. The ugly part is that some dogs may carry Salmonella without obvious symptoms, then spread it through saliva or feces. (jointhecase.com) ### What symptoms should people watch for? In pets, the warning signs include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, lower appetite, and abdominal pain. In people, Salmonella can bring nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. (fda.gov) ### How was the problem found? This did not start with a wave of reported illnesses. It started with routine FDA sampling. Testing found Salmonella in the sampled lot, and Albright’s said it moved to a voluntary recall while more evaluation continued. So far, reports said no illnesses had been announced in connection with this lot. That is good news — but recalls like this happen precisely so things get pulled before a bigger outbreak starts. (fda.gov) ### What should buyers do now? Don’t feed it. Don’t donate it. Don’t leave it somewhere another animal can get into it. The guidance is to throw the product out or destroy it so children, pets, and wildlife cannot reach it, then wash and sanitize anything that touched it — bowls, scoops, counters, freezer surfaces, and your hands. Consumers can also contact the company about refunds. (nasc.cc) ### Why does this keep happening with raw pet food? The basic problem is that raw meat carries more pathogen risk than cooked food, and pet food doesn’t get a free pass just because it’s sold for animals. A single contaminated lot can move through online orders, retail freezers, and home kitchens fast. That’s why lot numbers matter so much — they let companies and regulators target one batch instead of recalling everything. (fda.gov) ### Bottom line If there’s Albright’s raw chicken dog food in the freezer, the question is simple — does it say lot C001730? If yes, get rid of it safely and clean up like raw poultry touched every surface, because basically it might have. (fda.gov 1) (fda.gov 2)