The recall detail to check is the lot code on Steve’s Real Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried 1.25 lb bags. The FDA posted a June 8, 2026 recall expansion for lot C26022, best by 1/22/2028, because the food may contain low levels of thiamine, also called vitamin B1. Do not rely on the UPC alone, because the FDA-posted announcement’s table and package-description text appear to show different UPCs. If you bought the affected lot, the company announcement says to stop feeding it and return it for a refund or replacement, and to contact your veterinarian if your pet shows concerning signs.

Why this recall matters now

This is not a vague “check your pantry” warning. The FDA’s June 8 recall listing names Steve’s Real Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried Cat and Dog Food and identifies one added 1.25 lb bag lot: C26022, best by 1/22/2028. The table lists UPC 6-91730-164 02-7, while a later package-description sentence lists UPC 6-91730-18103-1. Because of that mismatch in the announcement text, the product name, size, lot code and best by date are the most important checks to match before you feed or buy.

The new announcement also sits next to earlier Go Raw recall activity involving Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe products. That matters at checkout because owners may see similar chicken, freeze-dried, raw-style or brand-family wording and assume one article or social post covers every affected bag. It does not. The safe move is to match the exact product, lot code, UPC and date on the package.

The company statement says the expanded Steve’s Real Food product was distributed through retail stores in several U.S. states, including CO, UT, WA, OR, PA, RI, MI, CA, TX, IL, GA, NC, SC, FL, MN, NY, OH, WI, ID and MT. It also says the affected lot is no longer believed to be in distribution channels, but the recall was started out of caution. That still leaves a practical shopper problem: bags can sit in home freezers, store back rooms, delivery boxes or sale bins long after a recall post appears.

The exact bag to check

Look for all of these details before feeding, returning or buying the food:

• Brand: Steve’s Real Food
• Product: Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried
• Size: 1.25 lb bag
• Lot code: C26022
• UPC: check carefully, because the FDA-posted announcement lists 6-91730-164 02-7 in the table and 6-91730-18103-1 in the package-description text
• Best by date: 1/22/2028

The FDA announcement says the product is sold in beige zip-locked packages with a maroon stripe, and that the printed lot code and best by date are on the front of the bag. Do not rely only on the product name, UPC or the word “chicken.” Freeze-dried pet food can look similar across sizes, recipes and lots.

What low thiamine means for shoppers

Thiamine is vitamin B1. The FDA-posted company announcement describes it as an essential water-soluble vitamin for carbohydrate metabolism and neurologic function in cats and dogs. The same announcement says cats are considered more susceptible because they have a higher dietary requirement and limited ability to compensate for inadequate intake.

That does not mean every pet that ate the food is sick, and it does not mean owners should try to treat a suspected deficiency themselves. It does mean a recalled food bag should not be treated like an ordinary return or a minor packaging error. If your dog or cat ate the affected lot and you notice appetite changes, vomiting, salivation, weight loss, poor growth, unusual weakness, wobbliness, vision changes, circling, falling, seizures or any other concerning change, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Before you buy freeze-dried raw-style food again

A recall should change how you shop, not just what you do with one bag. Before adding a freeze-dried chicken food to your cart, check the retailer product page, brand recall page and FDA recall list for current notices. Then check the product photo, lot code, best by date and size when the bag arrives.

For recurring deliveries, do not assume a replacement shipment is from a different lot. Autoship orders, subscription boxes and third-party marketplace orders can move through different warehouses. If a retailer cannot show or confirm the lot before shipping, decide whether you are comfortable accepting the delivery and checking it at home before opening.

Keep the package until the food is finished. The FDA’s consumer guidance on pet food lot numbers explains why the lot code matters for complaints and recalls. A photo of the front and back label is useful if you pour food into a storage bin or freezer-safe container.

Deal and coupon checks before paying

A markdown on freeze-dried pet food is not useful if it leaves you with a recalled, near-expired or hard-to-return bag. Before using a coupon, loyalty reward or autoship discount, verify these points:

• The retailer’s product listing does not match the affected lot details.
• The seller is an authorized or clearly accountable retailer, not an anonymous marketplace listing.
• The return policy covers recalled pet food and opened packages when the package was opened before the recall was noticed.
• The checkout discount does not require buying multiple bags you cannot inspect before shipment.
• The subscription can be paused while you confirm lot numbers.

Do not let a coupon push you into bulk-buying a formula you have not fed before. For a diet change, especially for cats, kittens, puppies, senior pets or pets with medical conditions, ask your veterinarian what role the food should play before you make it a major part of the diet.

What to avoid

Avoid relying on social posts that mention only “Steve’s,” “Quest” or “freeze-dried chicken” without lot details. Avoid repackaging food and throwing away the bag before you have saved the lot number. Avoid buying discounted bags from listings that do not show the seller, package size, date or return path.

Also avoid assuming “raw,” “freeze-dried” or “complete and balanced” removes the need for recall checks. The CDC warns that raw pet foods and treats can carry germs if they have not been heated enough to kill them, and AAFCO tells consumers to use the nutritional adequacy statement to understand whether a food is formulated for the intended species and life stage. Those are separate checks from this thiamine recall, but they belong in the same shopping routine.

Quick answers

Is this a Steve’s Real Food recall or a Quest recall?

The June 8, 2026 FDA-posted expansion adds one Steve’s Real Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried 1.25 lb bag lot. The same announcement also lists previously recalled Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe products, so owners should not mix up the product names or lot codes.

What should I do if I have the affected Steve’s Real Food lot?

The FDA-posted company announcement says consumers who purchased the affected product should stop feeding it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

Can dogs be affected too?

The recalled Steve’s Real Food product is described as cat and dog food. The company announcement says thiamine deficiency can occur in either species, while cats are considered more susceptible. Contact your veterinarian if you see concerning signs after feeding the affected lot.

Should I throw away the package?

No. Keep the package or take clear photos of the front and back label, including lot code, UPC and best by date. Those details are important for returns, retailer questions and pet food complaints.

Sources

Last checked: June 9, 2026, 07:31 Europe/Rome.

• FDA, GO Raw LLC expands voluntary recall to include one lot of Steve’s Real Food Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe due to low thiamine, published June 8, 2026.
• FDA, Recalls and Withdrawals, current as of June 8, 2026.
• FDA, Save Your Pet Food Lot Number!.
• FDA, How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
• CDC, About Pet Food Safety.
• AAFCO, Selecting the Right Pet Food.