Critical Health Alert: Go Raw LLC Expands Nationwide Recall of Freeze-Dried Pet Food Due to Thiamine Deficiency Risks

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UTAH — In a move that underscores the ongoing challenges of nutritional stability in the premium pet food sector, Go Raw LLC has officially announced an expansion of its February 2026 recall. The Utah-based manufacturer is pulling additional lots of its freeze-dried chicken products from retail shelves across more than 20 states. The expansion, announced on June 8, 2026, stems from concerns that certain batches contain inadequate levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1), a critical nutrient whose absence can lead to severe neurological impairment and death in domestic pets—particularly cats.

This latest development follows an initial recall issued on February 17, 2026, and signals a deepening investigation into the complexities of vitamin stability within raw and freeze-dried formulations. While the company maintains that the affected lots have largely moved through the supply chain, the voluntary recall is being treated with high priority by veterinary professionals and consumer advocacy groups alike.

Main Facts: Identifying the Affected Products

The recall expansion specifically targets a popular line of freeze-dried poultry products sold under the "Steve’s Real Food" and "Quest Cat Food" labels. The primary concern is the potential for thiamine levels to fall below the minimum nutritional requirements established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

The Newly Recalled Product

The June 8 expansion adds the following specific lot to the existing recall list:

• Product Name: Steve’s Real Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried
• Packaging: 1.25 lb. Zip-locked bag (Beige with a maroon stripe)
• Lot Code: C26022
• UPC: 6-91730-164 02-7
• Best Buy Date: 1/22/2028

Previously Recalled Products

Consumers are also urged to check their pantries for items included in the initial February wave:

• Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried Nuggets: 10 oz. Bag (Lot C25288, UPC 6-91730-18103-1, Best Buy 10/15/2027)
• Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen Diet: 2 lb. Bag (Lot MCD25350, UPC 6-91730-17104-9, Best Buy 6/16/2027)
• Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen Diet: 12 lb. Bag (Lot MCC25321, UPC 6-91730-17104-9, Best Buy 5/17/2027)

The distribution network for these products is extensive, covering a broad geographic footprint that includes California, Texas, Illinois, New York, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest.

Chronology: From Initial Discovery to Expansion

The timeline of the Go Raw LLC recall reflects a persistent effort to reconcile laboratory testing results with manufacturing standards.

• February 17, 2026: Go Raw LLC issues its first voluntary recall after internal or third-party testing suggests thiamine levels in Quest Cat Food Chicken Recipe products were insufficient. The company begins notifying distributors and retailers to pull the affected batches.
• Spring 2026: The company initiates a deep-dive investigation into their vitamin premix and the stability of thiamine during the freeze-drying process. During this period, they consult with industry experts and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to understand why testing results were inconsistent.
• June 8, 2026: Upon discovering that Lot C26022 of the Steve’s Real Food Chicken Recipe also exhibited potentially low thiamine levels, the company formally expanded the recall.
• Current Status: Go Raw LLC has confirmed that the affected lot is no longer in active distribution channels, meaning the recall is now focused on "end-user" recovery—ensuring that bags already in consumer homes are not fed to pets.

Supporting Data: The Biological Necessity of Thiamine

To understand the gravity of this recall, one must look at the physiological role of Vitamin B1. Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates. It is essential for the "Krebs cycle," the process by which cells generate energy.

Why Cats are at Higher Risk

While both dogs and cats require thiamine, feline biology is significantly more sensitive to its absence. Cats have a metabolic requirement for thiamine that is several times higher than that of dogs. Furthermore, cats lack the ability to store large reserves of the vitamin or synthesize it internally. If a cat consumes a diet deficient in B1 for as little as two to four weeks, the neurological consequences can begin to manifest.

Clinical Progression of Deficiency

Veterinary data categorizes thiamine deficiency into stages, starting with vague symptoms that can easily be mistaken for other ailments:

1. Gastrointestinal/General Stage: Loss of appetite (anorexia), occasional vomiting, and excessive salivation.
2. Neurological Stage: This is the most distinctive phase. Animals may exhibit "ventroflexion of the neck," a condition where the head bends downward toward the chest. Other signs include "wobbly walking" (ataxia), circling, and apparent blindness.
3. Critical Stage: If left untreated, the deficiency leads to seizures, profound lethargy, and eventually, death.

The medical consensus remains that thiamine deficiency is highly treatable if caught early. Intervention typically involves high-dose thiamine injections followed by oral supplementation and a transition to a nutritionally complete diet.

Official Responses: Go Raw LLC and Regulatory Collaboration

In their official statement, Go Raw LLC emphasized that product safety and nutritional integrity are their "highest priorities." The company has taken a proactive stance, not only by pulling products but by engaging in a scientific critique of how thiamine is measured in the industry.

"During our investigation, we gained valuable insights into the complexities of thiamine (vitamin B1) stability and analytical testing," the company stated. "Thiamine is a sensitive nutrient, and testing results can vary significantly, even in products formulated with elevated levels."

The company is currently collaborating with the FDA to investigate "scientific questions" regarding thiamine’s degradation during the freeze-drying process. This suggests that the issue may not be a simple failure to add the vitamin, but rather a chemical instability that causes the vitamin to break down faster than anticipated under certain storage or processing conditions.

Go Raw LLC has also implemented a "new Vitamin premix" for all current production runs. They have assured consumers that all Steve’s Real Food products currently arriving at retailers utilize these updated, reinforced formulations.

Implications for the Pet Food Industry

The Go Raw LLC recall serves as a cautionary tale for the rapidly growing raw and freeze-dried pet food market. This segment of the industry often markets itself on minimal processing and "natural" ingredients, but the Go Raw incident highlights the technical difficulty of maintaining vitamin stability without the heavy preservatives or synthetic stabilizers used in traditional kibble.

1. The Challenge of "Natural" Formulations

Thiamine is notoriously fragile. It is sensitive to heat, moisture, and alkaline conditions. In freeze-dried foods, the removal of water is intended to preserve the product, but the surface area exposed to oxygen can sometimes lead to the oxidation of sensitive micronutrients. The industry may face increased pressure to provide more frequent batch-testing results for B-vitamins specifically.

2. Regulatory Scrutiny

The FDA has historically focused much of its pet food oversight on pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria. However, nutritional deficiencies—particularly those involving essential vitamins—are increasingly appearing on the regulatory radar. This recall may prompt the FDA to issue stricter guidelines regarding the shelf-life stability of vitamin premixes in non-traditional pet diets.

3. Consumer Trust and Transparency

By being transparent about the "complexities of analytical testing," Go Raw LLC is attempting to maintain consumer trust. However, the expansion of a recall months after the initial announcement often leads to "recall fatigue" or a loss of confidence among pet owners. For the "Steve’s Real Food" brand, the path forward will likely involve a heavy emphasis on their new testing protocols and the efficacy of their updated vitamin premix.

Consumer Action Plan

If you are a pet owner residing in the affected states (CO, UT, WA, OR, PA, RI, MI, CA, TX, IL, GA, NC, SC, FL, MN, NY, OH, WI, PA, ID, or MT), the following steps are recommended:

1. Inventory Check: Locate any bags of Steve’s Real Food or Quest Cat Food. Compare the Lot Codes and Best Buy dates on the front of the packaging with the list provided above.
2. Immediate Cessation: If your product matches the recalled lots, stop feeding it to your pet immediately. Even if your pet appears healthy, thiamine deficiency can be cumulative.
3. Veterinary Consultation: If your pet has consumed the recalled product and shows any signs of lethargy, head tilting, or loss of appetite, contact a veterinarian immediately. Inform them specifically about the potential for thiamine deficiency.
4. Refunds and Disposal: Affected products should be returned to the original place of purchase. Retailers have been instructed to provide full refunds or replacements with the new, updated formulations.
5. Contact Information: Consumers with specific concerns can reach Go Raw LLC via email at [email protected] or by phone at 801-432-7478, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm MST.

As the pet food industry continues to evolve toward more complex, minimally processed diets, the Go Raw LLC recall stands as a reminder that "natural" must never come at the expense of "complete and balanced." The ongoing research between the company and the FDA may eventually provide the industry with better tools to ensure that essential vitamins remain stable from the factory floor to the food bowl.