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Quick answer: on 16 September 2026 the EU’s rapid alert system RASFF published an alert for salmonella in a frozen raw lamb dog food (VON BARF Professional Lamb Mono, 1 kg, best before 07/2028), made in Croatia and also distributed in Spain. If you have it at home, do not use it and return it to the shop. There were also raw food recalls in the US this summer. The lesson is the same: if you raw feed, hygiene is essential.
Raw feeding (BARF: meat, offal and bones served raw) is increasingly popular, but raw meat can carry bacteria such as Salmonella or Listeria. The alerts of recent weeks are a reminder that the risk is not only for the dog, but also for the people who handle the food.
The European alert: which product and where
- Product: VON BARF Professional Lamb Mono, frozen dog food, 1.0 kg pack, identification mark HR19107024, best before 07/2028.
- Hazard: Salmonella spp. and a high Enterobacteriaceae count, found during an official check on a sample taken on 2 September 2026.
- Classification: alert with a potentially serious risk (RASFF notification 2026.8204).
- Distribution: Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
- What to do: do not use it, and return it to the shop where you bought it or contact the company.
Other recent raw food recalls
In the United States, the FDA shared two recalls of frozen raw food in August: on 17 August, 639 bags of a chicken recipe for dogs after three reports of sick dogs, and on 28 August, 887 kilos of two raw chicken recipes for dogs and cats over possible salmonella and Listeria. These recalls were limited to the US market.
In addition, in May 2026 the US CDC published a study of an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in 19 cats that had eaten raw milk, raw meat or commercial raw pet food; the authorities advise against giving cats raw milk or raw animal products and consider the risk to people low.
How to raw feed more safely
- Defrost in the fridge, never at room temperature, and do not refreeze.
- Wash your hands before and after, and clean surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water.
- Use stainless steel bowls, which are easier to clean than scratched plastic, and wash them after every meal.
- Pick up leftovers after a few minutes and keep the rest covered in the fridge.
- Avoid raw food if there are babies, older people, pregnant women or anyone with weakened immunity at home, and check with your vet first if your pet is very young, elderly or unwell.
- If you notice vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), fever or lethargy, see your vet.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my dog’s food is subject to an alert?
Check the brand, product, batch or best-before date on the pack and compare them with the official notice. European alerts are published on the RASFF Window portal.
Can salmonella pass from dogs to people?
Yes. A dog can carry the bacteria without seeming ill, and people can be infected when handling the food or faeces. That is why handwashing is key.
Does freezing meat kill salmonella?
No. Freezing does not reliably kill these bacteria, so take extra care with hygiene when defrosting and serving.
Keep reading
- Raw feeding for dogs and cats: risks and precautions
- How to store opened dry and wet pet food
- Diarrhoea or vomiting in dogs and cats: when it is urgent
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