Pet owners: Check dog food amid recall over hazardous plastic bits

A recent recall is prompting some pet owners to double‑check their dog food supplies.

The recall affects frozen dog food after customers discovered pieces of plastic in the tubes of food called "chubs."

Although there have been no reported illnesses or injuries to date, ingestion of plastic can pose serious health risks to animals — especially if large fragments are swallowed. In severe cases, plastic ingestion can lead to intestinal blockage and become life‑threatening.

“Dogs ingesting plastic may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or stomach discomfort. Plastic, when consumed in large amounts, can lead to serious health issues in dogs, including gastrointestinal upset and a risk of intestinal obstruction,” says the FDA recall notice, which was published on December 3, 2025.

Which pet food is being recalled?

This latest pet food recall is from Fromm Family Foods, which is voluntarily recalling 300 cases of Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe, a frozen dog food sold in 16‑ounce servings, because of possible foreign plastic contamination.

The FDA says the affected product is clearly identified with:

• Best By dates: 12/25/2026
• UPC code: 072705135004

If your dog consumed this food and begins showing signs such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy or stomach discomfort, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Where the recalled dog food was sold

According to the recall notice, the affected BeefiBowls products were distributed through neighborhood pet stores across 14 U.S. states — Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Wisconsin — plus Ontario, Canada.

"We have identified the error, and in addition to our existing safety process, we have put corrective actions in place to prevent this from happening again," Fromm Family Foods said, confirming via the FDA notice that no other products are included in the recall.

What pet owners should do

Pet‑food recalls are more common than many pet owners realize, especially when it comes to frozen or minimally processed diets.

There are other risks associated with this kind of pet food.

An October 2025 research update from Tufts University found live bacteria in a substantial portion of raw (frozen or freeze‑dried) pet food — pathogens including Salmonella enterica, E. coli, and Klebsiella — but found none in cooked foods. Some of those bacteria carried genes for antibiotic resistance, raising concerns for both animal and human health.

Related: Voluntary vs. mandatory food recalls: what you should know

There’s also a risk to humans if contamination spreads while handling the food, bowls, or storage containers — so FDA advises pet owners to wash their hands thoroughly and sanitize bowls/surfaces.

If you have Bonnihill Farms BeefiBowls Beef Recipe FDA on hand:

• Stop feeding it immediately.
• Return it to the retailer or safely dispose of it so pets or wildlife can’t access it.
• Clean pet bowls, storage containers, and any surfaces that came into contact with the food.
• Monitor your pet for symptoms (vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, digestive discomfort) and contact your veterinarian if any appear.

Recent pet food recalls

Contamination with salmonella and/or listeria is among the most common reasons for pet food recalls, including these examples from the last 24 months:

• August 2025: Viva Raw — frozen raw dog & cat food (lots 21495 & 21975)
  Source: Pet Food Industry
• September 2025: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products BioLogics — grain-free frozen dog food (Lot 11895, manufactured July 29, 202, and Lot 11826, manufactured July 7, 2025)
  Source: FDA
• April 2025: Blue Ridge Beef — Puppy Mix & Kitten Mix logs sold in multiple states
  Source: FDA
• November 2023: Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and some Member’s Mark dog and cat food sold in multiple states
  Source: FDA