Finding a recall notice on a product meant to soothe your dog can be unsettling. A powder supplement, not a bag of ground beef treats or a raw chicken patty from the freezer. Something that sits on a shelf between fish oil and flea repellent, sold on Amazon, and comes in a tidy little tub. That’s precisely where the Fi dog supplement Salmonella recall falls, and it falls more forcefully than most people are likely to register at this time.
On September 3, Fi, a New York-based pet technology company that operates under Vet Plus, Inc., declared that it was discontinuing two of its supplement products, the 8-in-1 Formula and the Calming Formula, both of which came in 180-gram containers, due to possible Salmonella contamination. Five days later, the FDA released the official notice. Lots 26118 and 26159 are impacted. If the bottom of a tub in your home has those numbers printed on it, it should be disposed of today, tightly sealed, and handled as little as possible.
Fi’s own announcement stated that the contamination did not start within its premises. It can be traced back to an ingredient that was given to the company’s contract manufacturer, which has since halted production while it conducts an investigation. That particular detail is crucial and should receive more attention than it currently receives. The question that needs to be addressed when a contamination issue occurs within an ingredient rather than a final product is not only which tubs are impacted, but also which other products the same ingredient lot was used in. The ingredient is not mentioned in the announcement. The supplier is not identified. The manufacturer is not identified. There are three entities and no names. That is a substantial amount of information that is still available.
Salmonella-related pet food and supplement recalls are not new. Oma’s Pride recalled almost 640 bags of a raw dog food recipe earlier this year after three dog illnesses were reported and tests revealed positive results. For similar reasons, Albright’s Raw Pet Food had a recall in May. However, those were frozen raw meat products, which most people are aware of the dangers of. A powdered supplement that is shelf-stable feels completely different. Some owners may be underestimating this recall because they haven’t given the tub on their counter much thought.
The FDA notice makes it clear that this recall becomes truly serious when it comes to human exposure. Dogs that consume a tainted product may excrete Salmonella bacteria in their stool, sometimes without exhibiting any symptoms. carriers that appear healthy. Therefore, the exposure pathway doesn’t require the dog to look ill at all if it eats from the recalled lot, licks a toddler’s hand, walks across a kitchen floor, or just does what dogs do. Individuals who fall into higher-risk categories—elderly adults, young children, and anyone with compromised immune systems—are especially at risk. In humans, Salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, fever, and in certain situations, complications that last much longer than the original illness.
A veterinarian should be consulted if a dog exhibits any of the following symptoms: lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea (including bloody), fever, or loss of appetite. Medical care is necessary if a person exhibits symptoms after coming into contact with the product, contaminated surfaces, or an infected pet. The recall instructions provided by the company are fairly straightforward: cease using the product, seal it, discard it, thoroughly wash your hands after handling it, or clean up after the dog.
This kind of recall communication follows a pattern that is worth observing. Customers receive a phone number and instructions on what to discard. The complete scope, including how many units were distributed, whether the suspect ingredient found its way into other products, and what precisely raised the initial concern, is typically not disclosed to them. The good news is that there have been no reports of illnesses in humans or dogs related to this recall. However, it’s important to distinguish between the absence of risk and the absence of reported illness.
Checking those lot numbers takes roughly ten seconds for anyone who purchased Fi supplements directly from the company or via Chewy or Amazon. It’s arguably the most beneficial thing this article can inspire.
FAQs
1. Which Fi dog supplements are being recalled?
The Calming Supplement (lot 26118) and 8-in-1 Formula (lot 26159), both 180g.
2. Can humans get sick from this recall, not just dogs?
Yes — handling the product or contact with an infected dog’s waste can expose people.
3. Where were the recalled supplements sold?
Directly to consumers and through Amazon and Chewy.com.
4. What should I do if I have the affected product?
Seal it, throw it away, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
5. Have any illnesses been reported so far?
No illnesses in dogs or humans have been reported as of the recall date.
