Darwin’s Memo Regarding FDA Statement

Updated Tuesday, September 24, 2024. First posted Friday, September 20, 2024 

   

At Darwin’s, the health and safety of your pets is our absolute top priority, and we take rigorous steps to support their well-being and to foster strong lines of communication with you and our fellow community members.  

  

With that commitment in mind, we’re sharing information about a recent issue with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   

  

Last Friday, the FDA issued a public notice regarding lots of cat and dog food after finding trace amounts of salmonella and one lot of dog food after finding trace amounts of listeria.   

   

It is important to know that salmonella and listeria are not typically harmful to pets. Nonetheless, these product lots were flagged under the FDA’s zero-tolerance policy, which is largely designed for human safety and for food that humans will consume, not pets. In fact, the products tested positive for these bacteria only following an incubation period of multiple weeks. Listeria was not detectable using conventional testing methods, and third-party testing for all lots came back negative for listeria.  

   

It is also very important to know that the FDA has received no consumer complaints regarding any of these lots.  

  

While there are no risks to pet health, we felt it important to directly notify all Darwin’s customers, and to share this information transparently with our community.  

 

We find the FDA’s public notice to be wholly unnecessary, and ultimately, based on flawed regulatory decision-making, and we have taken steps to make this position clear to the agency.   

    

Darwin’s is confident our meals are safe. We use only high-quality ingredients, sourcing all of our proteins from facilities that meet or exceed USDA standards. In addition to a rigid vendor approval program, all of our products are treated in advance of production with an antimicrobial solution to reduce pathogens. Our rigorous sourcing and manufacturing protocols help ensure the safety of our products while maintaining the good bacteria that are crucial to our pets’ gut health and immune systems. Find more about how quality and safety are Darwin’s top priority. 

  

We’ll be continuing to update this page on this situation with FAQs and more information regarding the lots tested. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to send us an email to [email protected].  

  

FAQ  

 

Which lots were impacted?  

  

Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10832   

Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10856  

Natural Selections Chicken for Cats Lot # 10890   

Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10828   

Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10844   

Natural Selections Chicken for Dogs Lot # 10887   

  

Of the lots, lot #10828 tested positive by the FDA for Listeria monocytogenes.  

  

How quickly did you respond to address this issue with the FDA and customers?  

  

Throughout this process, we have taken swift action and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of your pets:  

  

  • 8/26 – The FDA initiated a routine inspection and pulled lots for testing. Per our safety protocol, we immediately paused shipment of these lots, ensuring they were no longer in distribution.   

  • 8/30 – The FDA delivered preliminary testing results, which were inconclusive for pathogenic bacteria. We commissioned independent testing.  

  • 9/7 – We received findings from independent testing of the ingredients and finished products that were negative for listeria. This testing found very small trace amounts of salmonella, which is inherent to poultry.  

  • 9/18 – The FDA concluded its inspection.  

  • 9/20 – We received the results of the FDA’s testing. We contacted all customers to notify them of the FDA’s results.  

 

 

We find the FDA’s public notice to be wholly unnecessary, and ultimately, based on flawed regulatory decision-making, and we have taken steps to make this position clear to the agency.   

 

How can you be sure of the safety of your products?  

 

In addition to our rigorous safety protocol, the FDA’s own inspection found all swabs taken at our facility to be negative for listeria. Upon receiving the FDA’s initial inconclusive results, we sent product and ingredient samples to an independent third-party laboratory for testing. Every product and ingredient came back negative for listeria. For these reasons, we are confident in the safety of our product.  

 

What is salmonella and is it harmful to my pet?  

  

Salmonella is a common microorganism that is inherent to poultry such as chicken and turkey. It can affect humans, but rarely affects cats or dogs. Salmonella is not typically harmful to pets.  

  

What is listeria and is it harmful to my pet?  

  

Listeria is a microorganism that can affect humans, but rarely affects cats or dogs. Per the FDA, it rarely causes disease in dogs and cats. In this case, the listeria reported by the FDA was in such small trace amounts that it was not detectable by a third-party laboratory. All ingredients, facility swabs, and product have also tested negative for listeria.   

  

What should I do if I have more questions? 

 

Please contact our customer service department at 877-738-6325 or [email protected] and our pet food advisors are available to help.