The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners after samples of Darwin's Natural Pet Products tested positive for dangerous pathogens, including E. coli that has been genetically linked to a child's hospitalization.
Testing conducted by a private third-party laboratory in May and June 2025 found E. coli O157:H7 in Darwin's beef dog food manufactured by Arrow Reliance, Inc. Additional samples of Darwin's chicken and duck dog food tested positive for Salmonella Infantis and Hadar, respectively.
Child develops life-threatening condition
In August 2024, a four-year-old child became infected with E. coli and developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), requiring hospitalization and extensive follow-up care. Whole genome sequencing provided by the third-party laboratory shows the E. coli in the Darwin's beef dog food sample matched the strain detected in the ill child's stool sample.
According to complaint information provided to the FDA, the household dog that exclusively ate Darwin's pet food began vomiting one day before the child fell ill. The dog's symptoms resolved without veterinary care.
The child had direct contact with the family dog but no known direct contact with the contaminated dog food, suggesting E. coli exposure occurred through contact with the family dog or contaminated surfaces.
No recall issued despite FDA recommendation
The FDA recommended that Arrow Reliance, Inc. recall the affected product lots. To date, the company has not recalled the contaminated products, which were manufactured in May and June 2024.
The products were sold frozen with no expiration date and could still be in consumers' freezers. Darwin's Natural Pet Products are sold online through a subscription service.
Because the incident occurred in 2024, no retail samples were available for collection when the complaint and laboratory results were submitted to the FDA in June 2025. Darwin's Natural Pet Products does not have samples from the same product lots available for additional testing.
Affected products
The contaminated products were sold in frozen 2-pound white and clear plastic packages with four separate units:
Darwin's Natural Pet Products, BioLogics All-Natural and Grain Free, Beef Recipe for Dogs
- Lot 10662, MFG Date: May 30, 2024
Darwin's Natural Pet Products, BioLogics All-Natural and Grain Free, Chicken Recipe for Dogs
- Lot 10683, MFG date: June 05, 2024
Darwin's Natural Pet Products, Natural Selections Duck Recipe for Dogs
- Lot 10638, MFG date: May 22, 2024
The beef and chicken BioLogics products have orange labeling, while the duck Natural Selections product has blue labeling. Product lot codes are printed on the front of the lower left unit of each package.
Pet foods contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella present significant public health concerns because they can affect both human and animal health. Pets can become ill from these pathogens and may also carry the bacteria without appearing sick, potentially transmitting it to human companions.
The FDA has documented previous cases where humans and animals became sick from exposure to Salmonella-contaminated pet foods. Refrigeration or freezing does not eliminate E. coli or Salmonella.
Based in Tukwila, Washington, U.S., Darwin's Natural Pet Products operates its own manufacturing plant under the parent company Arrow Reliance Inc.
