Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFDA reported that a San Francisco cat became ill with H5N1 after eating RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats from lot CCS 25 093 and was euthanized. Testing linked the cat’s sample to samples from two identified lots, but the findings do not establish that every RAWR product or every bag of Chicken Eats was contaminated.
If you have this product, check the lot code on the back of the bag and do not feed either lot listed below. If your cat ate the food or develops signs of illness, contact a veterinarian promptly.
What happened in San Francisco
The San Francisco Department of Public Health notified FDA about a cat that ate Chicken Eats from lot CCS 25 093, became ill with H5N1, and was euthanized. Initial PCR testing detected H5N1 in an opened food sample from the owner. USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories performed confirmatory PCR testing and whole-genome sequencing on diagnostic material from the cat and the opened food sample.
FDA separately collected two retail samples from lot CCS 25 077. Both tested positive for Influenza A, and the sample selected for sequencing tested positive for H5N1. Sequencing placed the viruses from the cat and both lots in the same cluster. FDA said the results suggest a common source of contamination and support the conclusion that the cat became ill after eating the product from lot CCS 25 093.
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- USDA Organic Certified chicken 3lb bag
- #1 ingredient is cage free organic chicken
- Grain-free Recipe
- No corn, wheat or soy
- A balanced formula for all life stages
FDA said it was continuing its investigation and would update its notice if new information became available. Check the current FDA notice for later findings or recall information.
The two lots identified by FDA
| Product | Lot | Sell-by date | Finding described by FDA |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats | CCS 25 077 | September 18, 2026 | Two retail samples tested positive for Influenza A; the sample selected for sequencing tested positive for H5N1. |
| RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats | CCS 25 093 | October 3, 2026 | The cat ate product from this lot; H5N1 was detected in an opened food sample from the owner. |
FDA describes the product as frozen, sold in a 2.5-pound resealable plastic bag containing 40 one-ounce sliders. It was sold through retail stores nationwide and online. The lot code is printed on the back of the bag. These details identify the reported product; they do not establish that other lots were contaminated.
Do not treat a sell-by date as a safety guarantee. Do not feed product from either identified lot.
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- Meat is #1 Ingredient - Since the dawn of time, cats have loved their protein—so that’s why this dish is packed with delicious, crunchy bites of the good stuff: USA farm-raised chicken and duck.
- Protein-Rich - Packed with 34% protein! This bag of kibble boosts your pet’s energy and helps them maintain lean muscle mass.
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- Grain-Free - Absolutely no corn, wheat, rice, soy, or oats in sight. We don’t pack your pet’s food with grains just to help us save a buck or two.
What the testing means
The findings are specific to the tested samples and lots. PCR testing detected the virus, and whole-genome sequencing placed the viruses from the cat and the sampled food in the same cluster. FDA said this evidence suggests a common source of contamination and supports the conclusion that the cat became ill after eating product from lot CCS 25 093. It does not show that every bag or all products from the company were contaminated.
FDA identified the virus as genotype B3.13. The agency said the related lineage had been detected around November and December 2024 and was no longer circulating, and that this genotype had previously been found in other raw poultry-based pet foods associated with illness or death in cats. This is context from FDA’s notice, not evidence that all current foods or virus strains share the same status.
Signs of H5N1 illness in cats
FDA lists these signs as reasons to seek veterinary care:
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- One (1) 4 lb bag of ORIJEN Original Cat Food with Fresh and Raw** Ingredients
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- First five ingredients of this ORIJEN cat food are fresh or raw** free-run*** chicken and turkey, whole mackerel, turkey giblets and flounder, providing a strong source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals
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- fever or lethargy;
- low appetite;
- reddened or inflamed eyes;
- discharge from the eyes or nose;
- difficulty breathing; and
- neurological signs such as tremors, seizures, incoordination, or blindness.
If your cat ate the implicated food or develops these signs, contact a veterinarian. Tell them what the cat ate and when, and retain the package information if available.
What to do if you have the RAWR product
- Stop feeding it. Do not feed product from lot CCS 25 077 or CCS 25 093.
- Check the lot code. Compare the code on the back of the bag with the two lots above; do not rely on the brand name or sell-by date alone.
- Keep the product contained. Follow instructions from the retailer, manufacturer, FDA, or local public-health authorities about return or disposal.
- Contact a veterinarian if your cat ate it or seems ill. Share the lot information and timing of exposure.
- Use hygiene precautions. FDA advises washing hands after handling pet food and sanitizing surfaces that contacted it.
What this means for people
At the time of its notice, FDA said it had not identified human H5N1 infections among people from handling raw pet food products. The agency cautioned that active virus can infect people if it reaches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash your hands after handling pet food and sanitize contact surfaces.
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FDA advises consumers to carefully consider the risks before feeding uncooked meat or uncooked pet food. The agency says heat treatments can inactivate H5N1 in meat, milk, and egg products. Talk with a veterinarian about a nutritionally appropriate diet for your cat, especially if your cat has a health condition or needs a specific food.
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- Complete and Balanced: Dry cat food with no artificial flavors or preservatives or colors delivers 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition to support a healthy life.
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FDA also advises keeping animals from hunting and consuming wild birds. The agency has required manufacturers covered by the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule that use uncooked or unpasteurized poultry- or cattle-derived materials to reanalyze their food safety plans to include H5N1 as a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard. FDA describes sourcing ingredients from healthy flocks or herds and using virus-inactivating processing, including heat treatment, as practices that can reduce or prevent transmission through animal food. This is regulatory guidance, not a certification of any particular product.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Is all RAWR cat food contaminated with H5N1?
No. FDA identified evidence involving two specific lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats: CCS 25 077 and CCS 25 093. The findings do not establish that every RAWR product or every bag of Chicken Eats was contaminated.
Which lot did the San Francisco cat eat?
FDA said the cat ate product from lot CCS 25 093. The agency separately tested retail samples from lot CCS 25 077.
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What should I do if my cat ate one of these lots but seems fine?
Do not feed more of the product. Contact your veterinarian for advice and provide the lot information and exposure timing. Seek veterinary care if your cat develops signs such as low appetite, lethargy, eye or nasal discharge, breathing difficulty, or neurological changes.
Can people get H5N1 from handling raw pet food?
At the time of its notice, FDA had not identified human H5N1 infections among people from handling raw pet food products. FDA warned that active virus can infect people if it gets into their eyes, nose, or mouth, and advised handwashing and sanitizing contact surfaces.
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