The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has notified pet owners about the contamination of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats. According to the FDA's announcement, evidence suggests a linkage between the H5N1 strain found in a deceased cat and lots CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093 of the raw cat food product the cat consumed before falling ill. The confirmation came through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed by USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
RAWR, the company behind the implicated product, responded, expressing dismay over the FDA's information handling. In a safety alert to its community, RAWR's founder Sabrina Simmons conveyed frustration about the delay and fragmentation of information from the FDA, claiming that the agency waited weeks before providing substantial data tied to specific lot codes. Simmons said, "Our reasonable questions regarding the cat, the lot codes, testing methods, and chain of custody have gone unanswered." She adds that RAWR was advised to file Freedom of Information Act requests instead of direct information, processes known for their prolonged durations.
The FDA's findings reveal whole genome sequencing results indicating that the H5N1 strain from the cat and both lots of Chicken Eats originated from a common source. These findings also demonstrated that the H5N1 strain from all three samples belonged to the same genomic cluster, indicating that the contamination likely came from the product Lot CCS 25 093. While the FDA has not reported any human cases of HPAI through exposure to contaminated pet food, precautions for pet owners include hand washing after handling pet food and sanitizing contact surfaces.
Simmons maintains that RAWR has complied with the FDA's requirements regarding H5N1 in pet food and suggests that if the FDA believes the virus presents a broader issue, the matter should be addressed at the USDA level. The RAWR safety alert specifies inconsistencies in initial test results, which showed non-H5N1 Influenza A, and subsequent findings of H5N1 after retesting, challenging the reliability of the data. "This inconsistency underscores the need for full transparency about testing methods, chain of custody, and laboratory practices," stated Simmons.
Despite the dispute, RAWR has voluntarily recalled the lots in question from circulation and has assured customers who possess food from the affected lots that cooking it to an internal temperature of 165°F will neutralize any virus. Moreover, Simmons assures that the company remains committed to its community, stating via the public safety alert, "We know this situation may be concerning, and we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way." RAWR offers a complete refund or exchange option for those who prefer not to use the product.
