FDA Issues Advisory on Darwin’s Pet Foods Linked to E. coli and Salmonella Contamination

On July 29, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned pet owners not to feed certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products after tests revealed contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. It asked the manufacturer, Arrow Reliance Inc,, to recall the lots.

The agency said a sample of Darwin’s beef dog food tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, and separate samples of the company’s chicken and duck dog food were found to contain Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Hadar.

The contamination was linked to a 2024 incident in which a four-year-old child contracted E. coli O157:H7 and developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney condition. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a genetic match between the E. coli found in a sealed package of Darwin’s beef dog food recovered from the household freezer and that in the child’s stool sample. According to FDA records, a dog in the same household had begun vomiting just one day before the child fell ill — though that pet recovered without veterinary care.

The FDA noted that the family dog had no known direct contact with the contaminated food, suggesting the E. coli exposure may have occurred through contact with the dog, contaminated surfaces, or other intermediaries. Because the outbreak occurred in 2024, the FDA said they could not collect retail samples for testing, and Darwin’s did not retain products from the same lot for further laboratory analysis.

The affected products were manufactured in May and June 2024 and were sold frozen under Darwin’s “BioLogics” and “Natural Selections” brands. The three implicated lot codes are: Lot 10662 (Beef), Lot 10683 (Chicken), and Lot 10638 (Duck). Because Darwin’s pet foods have no labeled expiration dates, the FDA cautioned that the products may still reside in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers are urged to discard the listed lots in a secure container, clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with the products or animals, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella can infect humans and animals, and infections may range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Anyone who develops symptoms is advised to seek medical or veterinary attention. The FDA continues to monitor the situation.

What did Darwin’s/Arrow Reliance Ltd say?

This is the response posted on the Darwin’s website. It raises questions about the testing process, the validity of the claims, and the FDA’s actions.

Reporting Pet Food Problems

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area. Or go to the FDA’s “Report a Pet Food Complaint” page.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.