If you bought Northwest Naturals Chicken Recipe, check the lot code before thawing or feeding it. The FDA-posted company announcement says two frozen raw chicken products are under voluntary recall for potential Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes contamination: Lot B-5 for the 2 lb cat food and dog protein topper, and Lot B-19 for the 6 lb dog food. The practical move is to keep the product sealed, stop feeding those lots, and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a refund.

What Is Recalled

The recall is narrow, but the label check matters because both products are frozen raw chicken recipes that may sit in a home freezer for weeks. The FDA recall page lists these affected products:

• Northwest Naturals Frozen Chicken Recipe, 2 lb bag, sold as cat food and a protein topper for dogs, Lot B-5, Best By 01/26/2028, UPC 087316384956.
• Northwest Naturals Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe, 6 lb bag, Lot B-19, Best By 01/25/2028, UPC 087316380392.

The announcement says the recalled products were distributed to retail stores nationwide. It also says no illnesses had been reported as of the recall notice, and that FDA testing identified the contamination risk.

Why This Matters Before Checkout or Reorder

Raw frozen pet food is easy to reorder by habit. A shopper may click the same chicken recipe again, or thaw a bag already in the freezer, without comparing lot codes against the recall notice. That is the buying mistake this recall creates: the brand name and recipe are not enough. You need the lot, best-by date and UPC.

It also matters for households with cats and dogs. One recalled 2 lb bag is described as cat food and a protein topper for dogs, while the other is a dog food. If you bought the smaller bag for a cat but also spooned it onto a dog’s meal, check both pets’ food history and clean any shared tools or surfaces.

The Freezer Check That Saves the Most Time

Before you open another bag, pull every Northwest Naturals Chicken Recipe package from the freezer and check the printed lot code. Do this even if you bought from a trusted independent store, because the recall says distribution was nationwide through retail stores.

• Match the exact recipe, bag size, lot code, best-by date and UPC.
• Keep the product cold and contained while you verify it.
• Do not pour loose nuggets into a storage bin until the lot code is recorded.
• If you already transferred the food, check photos, receipts, delivery emails or the original bag if you still have it.
• If the lot matches, stop feeding it and follow the refund instructions from the recall notice.

If your pet has eaten a recalled lot and seems unwell, contact your veterinarian. This article is shopping and recall guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Deal and Coupon Checks Before You Buy a Replacement

A replacement-food discount is only useful if it does not create a second problem. Before you reorder any frozen raw product, check whether the seller shows current lot or batch information, whether the item ships frozen with enough insulation for your address, and whether the return or refund policy changes for frozen food.

If a coupon pushes you toward a larger bag, pause before upgrading. Larger frozen bags can be cheaper per pound, but they also tie up freezer space and make it easier to lose the original package label. For recall-prone categories, the best deal is often the size you can store in its original packaging and use before you forget the batch details.

For subscriptions, check the next shipment date and product variant. Do not assume a retailer will automatically swap recipes, pause a frozen-food autoship or apply a recall refund to future orders. Confirm the exact item in your account and keep the recall page open while contacting the store or brand.

What to Avoid With Raw Frozen Food

The CDC says it does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats to dogs and cats, and advises extra care around raw pet food because it can carry germs. FDA safe-handling guidance also emphasizes handwashing, cleaning bowls and utensils, and disinfecting surfaces that touch raw pet food.

• Do not thaw a recalled lot to “check the smell” or appearance. Contamination is not something shoppers can reliably see.
• Do not rinse raw pet food in the sink. That can spread germs to nearby surfaces.
• Do not mix recalled food with a new bag to stretch the replacement.
• Do not rely on a freezer bin label if the original lot code is gone.
• Do not buy a discounted raw-food bundle without checking storage, shipping, refund and batch-tracking details first.

A Safer Shopping Routine for the Next Bag

Keep the original package until the food is gone. Take one quick phone photo of the front label, lot code, best-by date and receipt. If you use a freezer container, tape a note to it with the lot code and the date you opened the package.

Ask raw-food brands practical questions before you make them a recurring purchase: how final products are tested, how the company reduces pathogen risk, how stores are notified during recalls, and how refunds work when a frozen product is already opened. Those answers matter more than a short-term sale badge.

Quick Answers

Is every Northwest Naturals product recalled?

No. The FDA-posted notice identifies two Chicken Recipe products with specific lot codes, best-by dates and UPCs. Match all of those details before deciding a package is affected.

Can I get a refund?

The recall notice tells consumers who purchased the affected lots to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Keep your receipt or order confirmation if you have it, but check the store’s process because frozen-food handling can vary.

What if my pet ate some already?

Stop feeding the recalled lot. If your dog or cat has symptoms or you are worried, contact your veterinarian and share the exact product, lot code and amount eaten.

Should I switch foods immediately?

If your only food on hand is a recalled lot, you need a safe alternative. For a longer-term diet change, ask your veterinarian, especially for kittens, puppies, senior pets or pets on a therapeutic diet.

Sources

• FDA recall notice: Northwest Naturals Voluntarily Recalls Two Raw Pet Food Products Because of Possible Salmonella & Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk
• FDA Animal and Veterinary Recalls and Withdrawals
• CDC: About Pet Food Safety
• FDA: Tips for Safe Handling of Pet Food and Treats
• AVMA policy: Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets

Sources last checked: August 29, 2026, 16:32 CEST, Europe/Rome.