A complaint has been filed by the United States to permanently enjoin Arrow Reliance, the maker of Darwin’s Natural pet food, from manufacturing and selling adulterated pet food. That company has made raw frozen pet food for years. The food has been subject to many recalls for contamination from E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes over the years.
The complaint, which was filed on August 7, 2026, alleges that the business has violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by “failing to follow preventive controls requirements and causing uncooked pet food to become adulterated.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement, “Pet food manufacturers must ensure the safety of their products. Given the high likelihood that consumers will come into direct contact with pet food products, the Department of Justice will continue to work closely with FDA and take action against food manufacturers that operate under insanitary conditions.”
Dr. Timothy Schell, director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine added, “Every American pet owner deserves confidence that the food they feed their animals is safe and will not pose health risks to their families. Despite repeated FDA warnings, this company continues to manufacture and distribute products contaminated with harmful bacteria. When a company does not take responsibility for product safety, FDA will intervene to protect public health.”
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western Division of Washington. It alleges that the FDA found Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and Listeria monocytogenes in the finished product in samples collected from 2017 through 2025. And in 2024, the FDA found Salmonella in the company’s Tukwila facility.
The complaint also alleges that these products have repeatedly infected consumers over the years. Multiple customers complained about humans and pets suffering from health problems. FDA investigators found pathogenic bacteria in unopened samples of the products. In 2024, a four year old child contracted a STEC infection and developed hemolytic uremic syndrome after the family dog was fed Arrow Reliance products. Third party testing of the family’s unopened Arrow Reliance pet food confirmed the presence of STEC and Salmonella.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would require the company to make sanitation improvements and comply with preventive controls before making or distributing any more pet food.
