A screenshot naming a brand is not enough to decide whether the bag at home matches a safety notice. Find the original notice and compare the exact product, package size, lot code and date information.
Start with the original notice
Use the regulator or manufacturer named in the alert. Check whether it describes a recall, a test finding, a warning or an investigation; those terms are not interchangeable. Read updates on the source page rather than relying on the date a social post was shared.
One example is the FDA notice about H5N1 testing in certain lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats. It identifies specific lot codes and sell-by dates. Those details show why a brand name alone is insufficient. This article does not announce a new recall or claim every product from that brand is affected. Read the FDA notice and any updates.
Match four things on the package
- Exact product: include the recipe and format, not just the manufacturer.
- Package: compare the stated size and identifying details.
- Lot or batch: copy it exactly, including spaces or characters that could be misread.
- Date: distinguish a sell-by or best-before date from the notice’s publication or update date.
Take clear photographs of the label, lot and receipt. If you decanted the food, look for a retained bag or purchasing record. If the batch cannot be identified, ask the manufacturer or regulator what to do; the absence of a readable code does not establish safety.
Follow the action in that notice
Follow the source’s instructions on feeding, handling, return or disposal. Keep a potentially affected item separate from other pet food while seeking clarification. Do not donate or pass it to another household as a workaround. If your pet may have eaten affected food and is unwell, contact a veterinarian and provide the product and batch details.
The FDA’s H5N1 notice also describes veterinary signs to watch for and hygiene considerations. Use the original guidance for those clinical details rather than treating this checking worksheet as a diagnosis. FDA source.
Keep a short record
Write the source URL, the date you checked, whether the package matched and the action taken. In a shared household, tell every feeder which product is set aside. Before buying a replacement, confirm it is suitable for the pet’s existing diet plan.
Source checked September 12, 2026. This is an evergreen checking guide, not a complete recall database. Availability and safety notices can change; consult the original source for current instructions.