At Pritzker Hageman, P.A., we understand the profound impact that foodborne illnesses can have on individuals and their families. While many associate food poisoning with contaminated human food, it’s important to recognize that pet food can also be a source of dangerous germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These contaminants not only pose risks to pets but can also seriously sicken humans who handle the food or come into contact with infected animals.​

We have extensive experience helping people who have been sickened from contact with contaminated pet food.

Unfortunately, we do not handle pet injury or death claims and cannot represent your pet in a claim. However, if you are looking for what steps you can take if your pet was sickened we have resources here.

Understanding the Risks of Contaminated Pet Food

Contaminated pet food can lead to severe health issues in humans through various pathways:​

• Direct Contact: Handling contaminated pet food, pet food containers or bowls/dishes can result in the transfer of pathogens to humans.​
• Cross-Contamination: Surfaces, utensils, or hands that come into contact with contaminated pet food or a sickened pet can spread bacteria to human food or other areas, increasing the risk of infection.​
• Pet-to-Human Transmission: Pets that consume contaminated food may not show symptoms but can shed harmful bacteria, posing a risk to household members.​

For example, in 2018, two children in Minnesota contracted Salmonella Reading infections linked to contaminated Raws for Paws raw ground turkey pet food. One child developed osteomyelitis, a severe bone infection requiring hospitalization.

Symptoms and Health Implications

Human infections from pet food contaminants can manifest in various ways:​

• Salmonella: Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea, which can be bloody. Severe cases may lead to hospitalization.
• E. coli: Infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. In vulnerable individuals, it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition affecting the kidneys.​
• Listeria: This bacterium can cause listeriosis, leading to fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, it can result in miscarriage or stillbirth.​

Pritzker Hageman’s Experience in Foodborne Illness Cases

Our firm has a extensive proven track record of representing individuals affected by foodborne pathogens:​

• Decades of Food Poisoning Experience: We are among the most renowned foodborne illness attorneys in the country, winning hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients across the United States.
• Raw Pet Food Outbreaks: We have investigated numerous cases where raw pet food was identified as the source of Salmonella and Listeria across the country.
• Diamond Pet Food Case: We filed our first pet food lawsuit against Diamond Pet Food and Costco in 2012 on behalf of an infant who was hospitalized due to a Salmonella infection linked to contaminated dog food.

Legal Recourse for Affected Individuals

If you or a family member has suffered a serious illness due to contaminated pet food, you may be entitled to compensation for:​

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for hospital stays, treatments, medications, and ongoing care.​
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for time off work during recovery.​
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.​
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, additional compensation may be awarded to deter future misconduct.​

Our attorneys are dedicated to holding pet food manufacturers accountable for the safety of their products.​

Steps to Take if Affected by Contaminated Pet Food

1. Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by consulting a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.​
2. Preserve Evidence: Keep the pet food in question, along with packaging and receipts, as they may serve as crucial evidence.​
3. Document Everything: Maintain records of medical visits, symptoms, and any communications with pet food retailers or manufacturers.​
4. Report the Incident: Notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their Safety Reporting Portal.​
5. Consult Legal Counsel: Reach out to experienced food safety attorneys to discuss your case and explore legal options.​

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I sue for illness caused by contaminated pet food?

A: Yes, if you have been seriously sickened due to contaminated pet food, you may have legal grounds to seek compensation.​

Q: What if my pet was also affected?

A: While our firm focuses on human cases (we cannot represent pets or you as a pet owner), it’s important to report your pet’s illness to your veterinarian and the FDA.​ If your pet was sickened, we have information on steps to take here.

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: The statute of limitations varies by state. It’s advisable to consult an attorney promptly to ensure timely filing.​

Q: What compensation might I be entitled to?

A: Potential compensation includes medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and possibly punitive damages.​

Q: How can I prevent illness from pet food?

A: Practice good hygiene by washing hands after handling pet food, cleaning pet food bowls regularly, and staying informed about pet food recalls.​

Q: Is only raw pet food a food poisoning risk?

A: While raw pet food has a much higher risk of being contaminated and spreading contamination to humans (and a higher risk of sickening your pet), dry pet food also is at risk of contamination. Because so much dry pet food is sold, we actually see far more recalls related to it than we see with raw pet food. Canned food has the lowest risk, but we have seen a few cases where canned food has been contaminated.

Contact Us Today

At Pritzker Hageman, P.A., we are committed to advocating for individuals harmed by contaminated pet food. Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through the process of seeking justice and compensation. Contact us online today for a free consultation or call us at 1-888-377-8900.

Pet Food Recall News

For more information about the most recent recalls for contaminated pet food, visit the FDA’s website. In most cases, you can return any recalled pet food product for a refund to the store where you bought it.

Blue Ridge Beef Puppy and Kitten Mix Recalled for Salmonella, Listeria

Blue Ridge Beef of Stateville, NC, has recalled 2-lb logs of Kitten Mix Lot # N26 0114 and 2-lb logs of Puppy Mix Lot # N25 1230 for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination. The lot numbers are stamped on the clips at the end of the packages.

Supercan Slivered Pigs Ear Dog Treats Recalled for Salmonella

Supercan Bulk Pig Ear Slivers Thick Cut Piggy Ear Slices were recalled on April 1st, 2025 for Salmonella contamination. The recalled products were sold in 15.9 oz 500-piece bags in North 40 stores in Washington State.

Blue Ridge Beef Dog Food Salmonella Recall

Blue Ridge has recalled 2-pound plastic bags of Blue Ridge Natural Mix dog food for Salmonella contamination on February 5th, 2025. The dog food was sold at retail stores in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, Tennessee, and Rhode Island.

Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Mix Recalled for Salmonella

Blue Ridge recalled 2-pound beef logs of Kitten Mix on January 3rd, 2015 for Salmonella contamination. The Kitten food was sold in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

ANSWERS Dog Food Recalled for Salmonella and Listeria

Answers dog food was recalled for Salmonella and Listeria on September 22, 2024. This includes ANSWERS Detailed Beef Formula, Straight Beef Formula, and Straight Chicken Formula.

Victor, Wayne Feeds, Eagle Mountain and Members Mark (Sam’s Club) Dog and Cat Food Salmonella Recall Expands

Mid America Pet Food of Mount Pleasant, Texas issued a pet food recall on October 30th, 2023 after product testing conducted by a third party revealed the presence of Salmonella. The affected brands include: Victor, Wayne Feeds, Eagle Mountain and Members Mark (Sam’s Club).

Performance Dog Products Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk

Bravo Packing, Inc. of Carneys Point, NJ recalled all Performance Dog products, which are frozen raw pet food products, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company recalled the products in September of 2018 after a sample of Performance Dog that was collected during a routine FDA inspection of the company tested positive for Salmonella. Distributor Tefco, a company in Brooklyn , New York, generally fills orders to retail stores and other customers. The Performance Dog products come frozen in 2-pound and 5-pound plastic sleeves. The recalled products were manufacture with the date code 071418, which is printed on the boxes that contain the plastic sleeves.

Turducken, Quest Emu Diet, and Quest Beef Diet Recall

Steve’s Real Food of Salt Lake City, Utah voluntarily recalled the following due to possible contamination with Salmonella and/or Listeria: one lot of 5lb Turducken Recipe, one lot of 2lb Quest Emu Diet, and one lot of 2lb Quest Beef Diet. The affected products can be identified with the following UPC codes and the “Best by” date, which are located on the front of the bag: Steve’s Real Food Turducken (5 pound, Lot J155, UPC 6-91730-15304-5, Best by Date 6/4/19); Quest Emu Diet (2 pound, Lot B138, UPC 6-91730-17103-2, Best by Date 8/18/19); and Quest Beef Diet (2 pound, Lot A138, UPC 6-91730-17101-8, Best by Date 8/18/19). The recall was issued after the Washington Department of  Agriculture informed the company that a sample that had been collected tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria. The firm conducted their own test, which resulted in a negative result for both Salmonella and Listeria. According to the company, no pet or human illnesses have been reported.

Rad Cat Raw Diet Recall

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, Oregon, recalled Rad Cat Raw Diet across all varieties with Best By dates of 10/19/18 through 12/3/19 due to the possibility of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The following Rad Cat Raw Diet products, which were shipped between 5/10/17 and 8/9/18, are being recalled (lot number range starting with, and including, lot number 62763 through, and including, number 63101): Rad Cat Raw Diet Grass-Fed Beef Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Lamb Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); Rad Cat Raw Diet Natural Pork Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Turkey Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe (1oz sample, 8oz, 16oz, 24oz); The Lot Number and BB Date can be found on the bottom of each container. These Lots have Best By (BB) dates of 10/19/18 through 12/3/19.

Turkey Cat Food and Ground Lamb Dog Food Recall

G & C Raw, of Versailles, Ohio, recalled 30 1–lb containers of Pat’s Cat Turkey Cat Food and 40 2-lb containers of Ground Lamb Dog Food due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These products were distributed in OH, MI, IN, PAN, KY, NC, AND GA. The recalled Pat’s Cat Turkey comes in 1 lb clear plastic containers printed with lot number WWPKTF051618. The Ground Lamb comes in a 2 lb plastic container printed with the number MFF022718. These lot numbers are found on the bottom right corner of the label. As of the date the recall was issued, August 3, 2018, no illnesses were reported.