If you have been with Viva for a while, you know that we’ve always been transparent with you guys and at the bottom of this page, you'll find the notice that was emailed to all of our affected customers about our Duck recipes from Lot #22853. We want to be as open & candid as we can with all of you but there’s a lot of information that we cannot share, and there’s a lot that we are working to understand ourselves. As you can imagine, things happened extremely quickly and we’re doing our best to work through this.
Here's what we can share:
The last of the lot was shipped on Dec. 6th, 2023, over 50 days ago
Product from this lot was shipped to 1,500+ customers
Other than one customer complaint, we have not had any other reach outs related to the lot
I know you guys have many more questions, which is why we have this page below—we'll be keeping this updated.
Please review the questions & answers here and get in touch if you still need help. We’re a small team so we ask for your patience with us as we work to help you guys. Above all else, know the health & safety of our food and your pets always come first for us.
💜 Zach, Jenn, and the entire Viva Team
Questions
There was 1 consumer complaint made to the FDA about this lot. The FDA then collected a sample in January from the consumer's home for testing.
After the consumer complaint, we asked for medical & test reports from the customer but have not yet received those. Our follow up procedure also included retesting a retention sample from that lot with an accredited 3rd party lab. After reviewing the results & seeing no additional consumer complaints from 1500+ consumers who received the lot (the last pack was shipped more than 50 days ago on 12/06/23), we decided to continue monitoring the situation and investigate further if additional information was shared with us.
This was the only lot that had a positive test sample by the FDA. Our HACCP procedures in our USDA manufacturing facility include a full clean & sanitation before and after each lot is produced. We also regularly perform microbial testing on our products through a 3rd party lab to verify that all of our products are safe.
Food safety & sanitation is always our #1 priority—our process is to first ensure that we source the highest quality ingredients. We source USDA-inspected meat & manufacture in our kitchens where our food is made alongside human food. We use validated hurdle methods such as an organic lactic acid spray on all of meat & vegetable ingredients and monitor our product temperature to stay within 28-32F during production. Finally, we test each batch of food for Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria Monocytogenes & swab our production area regularly for Listeria monocytogenes as well
In addition, after this FDA report, we are conducting a detailed root-cause analysis in our USDA facility to ensure we continue to exceed the highest industry food safety standards & are committed to continuing to push the boundaries for how safe, fresh pet food is made.
We are conducting a detailed root-cause analysis in our USDA facility to ensure we continue to exceed the highest industry food safety standards & are committed to continuing to push the boundaries for how safe, fresh pet food is made.
We have validated & verified multiple hurdle methods (lactic acid, temperature control, supplier approvals) in our food safety system to control the risk of pathogens during manufacturing. We also continue to do a test & hold procedure that ensures our products are safe when distributing to you & all of our customers. Finally, we are continuing to innovate and are partnering with the food safety scientists & microbiologists at NC State University in 2024 for further research around how to ensure our products are as safe as possible.
We track all reports of illnesses related to our product and investigate accordingly. This recall was initiated in response to a consumer complaint but at the moment, we do not have confirmation that our product has caused any illness in humans or pets.
This lot has been entirely distributed to customers as of 12/07/23 which is 50+ days ago and we have not had any other complaints related to the lot.
If you've received product from this lot, you should have a direct notice from us in your email. Please check your spam or junk folders. If you do not have a direct email from us, then the product you received is unaffected and safe to use.
If you have any product remaining, check that the lot code printed on the side says Lot #22853. Take a photo of your remaining product and fill out the response form in your email. Afterwards, safely dispose of the product. Do not sell or donate the products. Do not feed the product to pets or any other animals.
Our email is info@vivarawpets.com and you can call/text us at 919-371-8882, Monday - Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM EST. We’re a small team so we ask for your patience with us as we work to help you guys.
Please monitor your pet for the symptoms mentioned (lethargy, diarrhea, fever, vomiting) and if they develop symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
Product Label for Affected Lot: View Voluntary Recall Letter of Duck Recipes (Lot #22853): View
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