Raw Dog Barkery Recalls Freeze Dried Pet Products After Potential Salmonella Contamination

A Wisconsin-based pet treat manufacturer is the latest to face recall scrutiny after routine FDA testing detected Salmonella contamination in several popular freeze-dried dog and cat treat lines.

Foodynamics, LLC, known for producing boutique brands like Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, and Kanu Pets, voluntarily recalled multiple lots of its freeze-dried chicken heart treats following the discovery. The contamination poses potential health risks to both pets and their human handlers.

What Pet Owners Need to Know

The recall affects specific lots of freeze-dried chicken heart treats sold under three Foodynamics brands:

• Raw Dog Barkery – Whole Chicken Hearts (3 oz, 16 oz / Lot #030527, #040217)
• Raw Dog Barkery – Sliced Chicken Heart (3 oz / Lot #031627)
• BellePepper Cats – Freeze-Dried Chicken Heart Slices (3 oz / Lot #031627)
• BellePepper Cats – Sample Treats (unpackaged, ~0.1 oz / Lot #121426, #011526)
• Kanu Pets – Freeze-Dried Chicken Heart Raw Treats (3 oz / Lot #031627)

Distribution of the recalled items was limited — seven total packages reached retailers in Wisconsin, New York, and Florida via UPS.

Foodynamics reports that it successfully traced all affected lots, notified retailers, and issued refund instructions. No illnesses have been reported in pets or humans to date.

Understanding the Health Risks

Salmonella is a bacterial pathogen that can cause serious illness in both animals and people. While healthy pets may only experience mild symptoms, those who are young, elderly, or have compromised immune systems are at higher risk.

For pets, symptoms of infection can include:

• Diarrhea or bloody stool
• Fever and vomiting
• Decreased appetite or abdominal discomfort
• Fatigue and dehydration

For humans, infection typically occurs after handling contaminated treats or surfaces. Common symptoms include nausea, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In rare cases, the infection can lead to more severe complications, including joint pain, arterial infections, and urinary tract issues.

Households with children or immunocompromised individuals should take special care to prevent exposure and ensure all food-contact surfaces are thoroughly disinfected.

The Company Behind the Recall

Foodynamics, LLC produces small-batch, freeze-dried pet treats marketed as natural, high-protein options for dogs and cats. Its Raw Dog Barkery, BellePepper Cats, and Kanu Pets lines are distributed primarily through specialty retailers and online shops, focusing on single-ingredient, minimally processed foods.

The recall was initiated after FDA product sampling confirmed the presence of Salmonella. In response, Foodynamics has suspended production and distribution of all potentially affected lots and is cooperating with the FDA to identify the contamination source.

While the company reports that 100% of affected products have been traced and quarantined, this incident highlights the ongoing challenge of bacterial control in freeze-dried protein products.

Industry-Wide Contamination Concerns

Freeze-dried and raw pet treats have surged in popularity over the last decade, but they also carry higher contamination risks than cooked or heat-processed alternatives.

According to FDA data, nearly half of all U.S. pet food recalls since 2017 have been linked to Salmonella contamination. The bacteria can survive dehydration and low temperatures, making freeze-dried treats particularly challenging to sterilize without altering texture or nutrition.

Multiple academic studies have found that up to 4–8% of tested raw or freeze-dried pettreats contain detectable levels of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, or E. coli.

While these pathogens can often be destroyed through pasteurization or irradiation, manufacturers in the natural pet food sector frequently avoid such steps to maintain “raw” or “minimally processed” labels — a marketing choice that may inadvertently increase risk.

Regulatory Response and Prevention Measures

The FDA enforces a zero-tolerance policy for Salmonella in pet food products. This means any confirmed contamination, regardless of lot size or illness reports, triggers immediate enforcement and recall actions.

Foodynamics’ response — including rapid traceability and direct customer notification — aligns with FDA recall best practices. The company is currently working under FDA oversight to assess production protocols, raw material sourcing, and post-processing sanitation.

The agency’s guidance requires pet food manufacturers to test products before release, maintain strict environmental monitoring, and prevent cross-contamination in handling and packaging facilities.

Other recent FDA enforcement actions this year have included recalls from small specialty treat companies and larger commercial producers, showing that contamination remains an industry-wide concern rather than an isolated incident.

Consumer Protection and Safety Practices

Pet owners can reduce exposure risks through careful handling and storage of pet treats, especially those labeled as raw or freeze-dried.

Recommended precautions include:

• Washing hands thoroughly after handling any pet treats or food
• Cleaning bowls, scoops, and surfaces with hot, soapy water
• Storing pet food separately from human food
• Avoiding cross-use of utensils between pet and human items
• Supervising children when feeding pets

Consumers should also regularly check the FDA pet food recall database to stay aware of active recalls and avoid affected products.

Households with vulnerable individuals — infants, older adults, pregnant women, or those with weakened immune systems — are advised to avoid feeding raw animal-based treats entirely.

The Path Forward

The Foodynamics recall serves as a reminder that even small-batch, boutique pet food brands are not immune from the same bacterial hazards that affect large-scale producers.

While no illnesses have been reported, the incident underscores the importance of independent batch testing, sanitation audits, and transparent quality assurance across the pet treat industry.

As pet ownership grows and the demand for natural products continues, regulators and consumers alike will play a key role in holding manufacturers accountable to the highest safety standards.

For now, Foodynamics encourages any pet owners with questions or concerns to contact the company directly at via info@foodynamics.com.