April 29, 2024⚠ Important Primal recall information appears below.
Brand Name: Primal
Product Lines: Primal Canine Beef Formula, Primal Canine Chicken Formula, Primal Canine Duck Formula, Primal Canine Lamb Formula, Primal Canine Pronto Lamb Formula, Canine Turkey Mix, Feline Beef & Salmon Formula, Feline Pronto Turkey Formula, Feline Beef Mix, Feline Chicken Mix, Feline Sardine Mix, Feline Raw Chicken Necks, and various treats
Company: Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Headquarters: 2045 McKinnon Avenue; San Francisco CA, 94124
Website: https://primalpetfoods.com
Phone: 1-866-566-4652
Contact Form: https://primalpetfoods.com/pages/contact-us
Primal Company Overview
Primal Pet Foods, a company that claims to offer nutrition for pets that is closely aligned with their natural dietary needs, was founded in the early 2000s by Matt Koss. Koss was motivated by his personal experience with his dog, Luna, who showed signs of renal failure and improved dramatically after switching to a raw food diet. This diet, often referred to as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or bones and raw food diet, is said to mimic the natural eating habits of wild animals.
The company asserts that its mission is to enhance the health of pets through what it describes as species-appropriate nutrition. Primal Pet Foods positions itself as a provider of superior nutrition options for pet owners who are concerned about the quality and source of their pets’ food. According to the company, every product in their lineup is made from high-quality ingredients, including antibiotic- and steroid-free USDA proteins, certified organic produce, and unrefined vitamins and minerals, aiming to keep pets’ diets as natural as possible.
Matt Koss’s journey from a pet owner seeking a solution for his dog’s health issues to the founder of Primal Pet Foods underscores the company’s narrative of personal commitment and belief in the benefits of a raw, natural diet for pets. Primal Pet Foods represents itself as not just a business, but a mission-driven entity focused on the well-being of pets through dietary means that are claimed to be aligned with their primal dietary requirements.
Has There Been a Primal Recall?
Yes. Our records indicate there have been 4 Primal recalls, according to our research.
Most recently, in July 2022, Primal recalled a single lot of Primal Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula. This recall was the result of a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria after routine sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Primal disputed the FDA’s test results, saying the company “confirmed that all testing results on this single lot of recalled product were negative for Listeria monocytogenes — both raw materials and finished product — before it left its production facility.”
Fewer than 400 packages were sold to customers in Maryland, Georgia, Texas, and British Columbia in late April 2022. No other lot codes or Primal products were involved.
Full July 2022 Primal Recall Article here.
In late December 2017, Primal Pet Foods initiated a Primal recall for several freeze-dried dog and cat food formulas. This Primal recall was announced because the size of the bone grind in these products deviated from the optimal specifications set by the company.
A couple of years before that, in March 2015, Primal recalled limited numbers of its Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula for suspected low thiamine levels.
The only other Primal recall was in May 2011, when a limited supply of the Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula in 4-pound bags was recalled because of suspected salmonella contamination.
Full details about all Primal recalls can be found immediately below:
Primal Recall History
July 2022
Cause: Potential for listeria. Announcement: FDA recall notice dated July 6, 2022 (archived here). What was recalled: 6 lb. bags of Primal Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula, lot #W10068709, best by May 22, 2023.
December 2017
Cause: Bone grind size too large. Announcement: Company announcement on social media, Dec. 22, 2017. What was recalled: Only these specific products:
Dogs:
- Canine Chicken Freeze Dried Formula, 14 oz., Batch #s 2D1101817, 3D3100317, 1D4100317, 2D2100317, 1D5102717, 1D6101717 and 2D6100317
- Canine Duck Freeze Dried Formula, 14 oz., Batch #s 1D4100117, 1D5100817, 2D7100117, 2D1092517, 2D7100817, 1D8100217, 2D5100117, 3D5100117, 3D6100817, 1D10101817 and 3D10101817
- Canine Duck Freeze Dried Formula, 5.5 oz., Batch #1D5100117
- Canine Turkey Freeze Dried Formula, 5.5 oz., Batch #1D892617
- Canine Turkey Freeze Dried Formula, 14 oz., Batch #s 3D1092517, 1D392517, 1D592517, 4D692517, 2D892617, 1D8100217 and D10100217
Cats:
- Feline Chicken-Salmon Freeze Dried Formula, 14 oz., Batch #s 2D2100217, 1D1100217, 2D9100217 and 1D4100217
- Feline Chicken-Salmon Freeze Dried Formula, 5.5 oz., Batch #1D3100217
- Feline Turkey Freeze Dried Formula, 14 oz., Batch #s 2D10100317, 2D8100317, 1D7100217, 3D5100317, 1D5101617, 1D6100317 and1D10101717
- Feline Turkey Freeze Dried Formula, 5.5 oz., Batch #s 1D5100317 and 1D10101717
March 2015
Cause: Low thiamine levels. Announcement: FDA report dated March 13, 2015. What was recalled: A single lot of Primal Pet Foods Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula, 3 lb. bags, “Best by” date of “060815 B22.”
May 2011
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA report dated May 28, 2011. What was recalled: Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula, 4 lb. chicken & salmon nuggets, “Best by” date code of 043112-17.
Have You Had a Problem With Primal Pet Foods?
- See our reporting page for contact info.
- Leave a comment below to share your experience with others.
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