The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a recall issued by Lystn, LLC for certain lots of raw dog food products because of potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These products were sold directly to consumers online and through local boutique pet stores. The FDB is following up with local pet stores to ensure that the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Pets do not always display symptoms when infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious and sometimes fatal infection in pets that eat Listeria-contaminated food. Listeriosis illnesses in pets are rare, and infected pets may display symptoms including mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervousness, muscular and respiratory issues, miscarriage, depression, shock and death. Pets exposed to contaminated food can also be asymptomatic. Infected pets, even those without symptoms, can transfer Listeria monocytogenes through their feces and saliva into the home environment and to people and other pets in the household.

People can become infected with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes illness by handling the contaminated products, having contact with pets that have eaten the contaminated products, and/or having contact with surfaces that have touched the contaminated food, such as bowls, utensils or countertops. Risk of illness increases if people do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling the food or having contact with their pet, or by not thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces. Risk of illness also increases for those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.

People infected with Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most people recover without treatment, but in some people, the diarrhea may be severe enough to require hospitalization. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites unless the person is treated promptly.

To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to the recalled products. The FDB advises consumers to check for the products listed below by “best used-by date” (BUBD) and do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals.

Individuals who have recalled products and would like a refund, can submit a receipt, product pictures and the retailer’s information to info@answerspetfood.com. For additional inquiries, you can also email ANSWERS Pet Food at the same address.