DOJ Sues Washington Pet Food Manufacturer Over Safety Violations

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil complaint against a Washington-based pet food manufacturer, alleging that the company continued to sell bacteria-contaminated pet food despite years of FDA warnings. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleges that Arrow Reliance, doing business as Darwin's Natural Pet Products, failed to follow federally required preventive controls and allowed its uncooked pet food products to become adulterated. According to the complaint, FDA investigators found pathogenic bacteria, including *Salmonella*, *Listeria monocytogenes* (*L mono*), and Shiga toxin-producing *Escherichia coli* (STEC) in finished Arrow Reliance pet food samples collected between 2017 and 2025. In 2024, FDA investigators also detected *Salmonella* at the company's Tukwila manufacturing facility. Infections from these pathogens can cause diarrhea and vomiting in otherwise healthy adults, but the DOJ noted that vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, face a risk of more serious outcomes, including death. *L mono* infection can also cause stillbirths and miscarriages. The complaint alleges that Arrow Reliance's products have repeatedly sickened consumers over several years. In 2024, a 4-year-old child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare, serious condition that destroys red blood cells, lowers platelet counts, and damages kidney function, after contracting a STEC infection; the family's dog had been fed Arrow Reliance pet food. Third-party laboratory testing of the family's unopened product confirmed the presence of both *Salmonella* and STEC. The government's lawsuit seeks an injunction requiring Tashjian and Arrow Reliance to implement sanitation improvements and to comply with preventive controls regulations and other federal food safety requirements before resuming the manufacture or distribution of any pet food products. Arrow Reliance's pet food products are distributed nationwide, according to the complaint. The company has denied the allegations, stating that they have always taken compliance with the FDA's food safety requirements seriously and have rigorous manufacturing and sourcing standards in place to ensure the quality of their products. The case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of pet food products, particularly for vulnerable populations. The DOJ has stated that it will continue to work closely with the FDA and take action against food manufacturers that operate under insanitary conditions. ### A Pattern of Contamination The complaint alleges that Arrow Reliance's products have been contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, including *Salmonella*, *Listeria monocytogenes* (*L mono*), and Shiga toxin-producing *Escherichia coli* (STEC). These bacteria can cause serious health problems, including diarrhea, vomiting, and even death in vulnerable populations. ### A Child's Illness The complaint alleges that a 4-year-old child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare, serious condition that destroys red blood cells, lowers platelet counts, and damages kidney function, after contracting a STEC infection; the family's dog had been fed Arrow Reliance pet food. Third-party laboratory testing of the family's unopened product confirmed the presence of both *Salmonella* and STEC. ### What the Lawsuit Seeks The government's lawsuit seeks an injunction requiring Tashjian and Arrow Reliance to implement sanitation improvements and to comply with preventive controls regulations and other federal food safety requirements before resuming the manufacture or distribution of any pet food products.