Company halts production of raw pet food following bacterial contamination

A New Jersey–based company agreed to temporarily stop manufacturing raw pet food following allegations of unsanitary conditions and Salmonella and Listeria contamination.

Food and Drug Administration officials announced in March that Bravo Packing, which made Performance Dog brand products, agreed to a court injunction that prohibits the company from making, receiving, holding, or shipping any pet foods until company officials correct problems in their facilities.

The announcement indicates that in 2019 and 2021, inspectors found “grossly insanitary conditions” and a failure to take preventive measures against contamination with and growth of undesirable microorganisms. Samples of the company’s food products also were positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and environmental samples also were positive for L monocytogenes.

Bravo Packing has also issued multiple recalls since 2018 for the company’s 2- and 5-pound containers of frozen raw pet food and smoked bones because of potential bacterial contamination.

The FDA requires that animal food manufacturers identify hazards related to their production and maintain plans and preventive controls to help ensure the products are safe from contamination during manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding. Manufacturers also need to monitor and verify their controls as well as take corrective actions.

The FDA phased in those Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements starting in 2016, and the injunction against Bravo Packing is the first of its kind under those regulations, according to the March announcement.