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Darwin's Natural Pet Products' safety record is the main issue: the FDA has issued warning letters (2018 and 2023) and advisories about lots that tested positive for Salmonella, Listeria or E. coli in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, including a 2025 advisory linking a beef lot to a child's E. coli illness, and Darwin's did not recall several of those lots. It is a real company, made by Arrow Reliance Inc. in Tukwila, Washington, that has sold raw pet food by home delivery since 2003, and its customers rate it 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. If you feed raw, choose a brand that uses high pressure processing, and talk to your vet first, especially with young children or anyone with a weak immune system at home.
- Company
- Arrow Reliance Inc., doing business as Darwin's Natural Pet Products, 350 Treck Drive, Tukwila, WA; founded 2003 by Gary Tashjian1
- Price per 2 lb pack
- Natural Selections dog $18.75 (chicken) to $29.25 (lamb); BioLogics dog $15 to $19; Natural Selections cat $22 to $28.25, as listed October 20262
- Discounts
- 70% off the first box (October 2026 offer); subscribers save 10% on every order3
- Shipping
- Frozen with dry ice; free in the contiguous US on orders over 20 lb; US only; pickup near Seattle4
- Refunds
- Only if Darwin's made an error affecting the product, at its discretion; no returns5
- Pathogen control
- Organic acid bath on meats; no high pressure processing mentioned; FDA objected in 2023 to its use of peroxyacetic acid at levels not approved for animal food6
- FDA record
- Warning letters in April 2018 and February 2023; 'do not feed' advisories in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and two in 2025; FDA says Darwin's did not recall the 2023, September 2024 and July 2025 lots7
- Nutrition
- Says all recipes meet AAFCO profiles for all life stages and are reviewed by veterinary nutritionists; Intelligent Design therapeutic line is prescription only3
Pros
- Long-running raw food company with home delivery since 2003
- Strong customer reviews: 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot
- Two price tiers plus prescription therapeutic recipes
- States all recipes meet AAFCO profiles for all life stages
- Flexible subscription with 10% savings
Cons
- Repeated FDA advisories for Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli
- Did not recall several lots the FDA asked it to recall
- No high pressure processing; FDA objected to its acid wash levels
- Costs more per pound than many raw and fresh brands
- Refunds only for errors on Darwin's part
Best for: Experienced raw feeders who accept the bacteria risk of raw food, follow strict kitchen hygiene and check lot codes against FDA advisories.
Skip it if: Anyone in your home is very young, elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised, or you want raw food that goes through high pressure processing.
Darwin's vs. competitors
| Company | Food type | Starting price shown | Pathogen kill step | FDA actions found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin's | Frozen raw, dogs and cats | $15 per 2 lb pack (BioLogics) | Organic acid bath; no HPP | 6 advisories (2019 to 2025) and warning letters in 2018 and 2023 |
| We Feed Raw | Frozen raw (HPP) and freeze-dried, dogs only | $8.89 a pound | HPP on all frozen meals | None found |
| Viva Raw | Frozen raw, dogs and cats | $13.50 per 2 lb pack | HPP on Best Buy dates of March 15, 2027 or later | 3 recalls (2024 to 2025) plus a 2026 warning letter |
| The Farmer's Dog | Gently cooked fresh | About $2 a day | Cooked |
Darwin's pricing at a glance
Darwin's prices per 2 lb pack (four 8 oz trays), as listed October 20262
| Line | Pet | Price per 2 lb | Per pound |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioLogics (conventional ingredients) | Dog | $15.00 (chicken, chicken and beef) to $19.00 (beef) | $7.50 to $9.50 |
| Natural Selections (free-range meat, organic vegetables) | Dog | $18.75 (chicken) to $29.25 (lamb) | $9.38 to $14.63 |
| Natural Selections | Cat | $22.00 (chicken) to $28.25 (beef) | $11.00 to $14.13 |
| Intelligent Design (prescription) | Dog and cat | $19.75 to $23.00 | $9.88 to $11.50 |
| Sampler box for dogs | Dog | $99.50 | Not published |
Per-pound figures are our math from the listed 2 lb prices. Subscribers save 10%, and new customers were offered 70% off the first box in October 2026. Shipping is free on orders over 20 lb in the contiguous US.
Darwin's, step by step
Build a plan
Answer questions about your pet or use the feeding calculator, then pick recipes from the Natural Selections, BioLogics or Intelligent Design lines.
Choose subscription or one-time
Subscriptions ship weekly, every two weeks or monthly and save 10%; you can pause, skip or cancel in your account.
Receive frozen food
Boxes ship with dry ice by UPS, FedEx or GLS, mostly early in the week, and should go straight into the freezer.
Thaw and feed safely
Thaw in the fridge, wash hands, bowls and surfaces after every meal, and check lot codes against FDA advisories.
Change or cancel
Adjust or cancel your subscription online before the next order is processed; refunds are only for errors on Darwin's part.
Darwin's legit and is it safety and legitimacy
Darwin’s is a legitimate company. Its food is made by Arrow Reliance Inc., doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, at 350 Treck Drive in Tukwila, Washington. Founder Gary Tashjian started the business in 2003, and it sells online by subscription with home delivery. Customers are mostly happy: Trustpilot shows 4.7 out of 5 from 3,055 reviews, and the BBB lists no complaints in three years.
Safety is a different question. The FDA has repeatedly found Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes or E. coli in Darwin’s lots. It sent warning letters in April 2018 and February 2023 and has posted do-not-feed advisories in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and twice in 2025. In several cases the FDA says it asked Darwin’s to recall lots and the company did not. In its 2023 warning letter the FDA also said Darwin’s disputed that Salmonella in cat food was harmful and objected to its use of peroxyacetic acid at levels not approved for animal food.
Raw pet food can make pets and people sick. Talk to your vet before feeding raw, and do not feed it in a home with young children, older adults, pregnant people or anyone with a weak immune system.
Darwin's recalls and FDA advisories
- 2017 to 2018: FDA found Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli O128 in multiple lots; Darwin’s ran nationwide Class I recalls of specific lots, and the FDA issued a warning letter on April 2, 2018.
- March 2019: three lots of Natural Selections chicken and turkey dog food tested positive for Salmonella.
- August 2022: two lots of cat food tested positive for Salmonella after three kittens in one home got sick.
- February 2023: second warning letter over Salmonella and the use of peroxyacetic acid.
- 2023: four lots of dog and cat food made in June and July 2023 tested positive for Salmonella; the FDA said none had been recalled.
- September 2024: six lots of Natural Selections chicken for cats and dogs, made July and August 2024, tested positive for Salmonella, one also for Listeria; the FDA said Darwin’s had not recalled them.
- July 2025: beef BioLogics dog food tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 that genetically matched the strain that hospitalized a four-year-old child in 2024; chicken and duck lots tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA asked for a recall; Darwin’s had not recalled them.
- September 2025: two lots of BioLogics beef dog food tested positive for Listeria, one also for Salmonella. The FDA said Darwin’s letter to customers mentioned Listeria but not Salmonella.
Frozen lots have no expiration date on the label and can sit in freezers for months, so check the lot code on the lower left unit of any package against the FDA lists.
Darwin's cost
Darwin’s sells food in 2 lb packs of four 8 oz trays. As listed October 2026, BioLogics dog recipes (conventional ingredients) cost $15 to $19 a pack, or $7.50 to $9.50 a pound. Natural Selections dog recipes (free-range meat and organic vegetables) cost $18.75 for chicken up to $29.25 for lamb, or about $9.38 to $14.63 a pound. Cat recipes run $22 to $28.25 a pack, and prescription Intelligent Design meals $19.75 to $23.
Subscribers save 10%, and new customers were offered 70% off the first box. Shipping is free on orders over 20 lb in the contiguous US. A large dog eats several pounds a week, so ask for a feeding estimate before you subscribe.
What customers say about Darwin's
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Pets eager to eat it
- Owners report better digestion, coats and energy
- Helpful, responsive customer service
- Convenient home delivery of frozen meals
Common complaints
- Packages arriving damaged, leaking or partly thawed in hot weather
- Delivery delays from weather or carriers
- High price compared with kibble
- Food safety concerns raised by FDA advisories
Darwin's reviews and complaints
Customer reviews are strong. On Trustpilot, 85% of 3,055 reviews are five star and 4% are one star, though Darwin’s invites customers to review. Owners praise how eagerly pets eat it, better digestion and coats, and helpful service.
Complaints focus on shipping: damaged or leaking packs, food arriving partly thawed in hot weather, and weather or carrier delays. Darwin’s refund policy only covers errors on its part, decided at its discretion, so photograph damaged or thawed boxes on arrival and contact the company the same day.
Customer reviews do not measure bacteria. The FDA advisories above are the better guide to safety.
How to handle raw pet food safely
- Keep raw food frozen until use and thaw it in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling food, bowls or pet waste.
- Clean and disinfect bowls, utensils and counters after every meal.
- Do not let pets lick faces right after eating, and pick up waste promptly.
- Check lot codes against FDA advisories and throw away any affected or unreadable packs.
- See a doctor if anyone has diarrhea, fever or vomiting after handling raw pet food, and call your vet if your pet gets sick.
Who should choose another food
- Homes with young children or vulnerable adults: the 2025 FDA advisory tied a Darwin’s lot to a hospitalized child, likely through contact with the family dog.
- Raw feeders who want a kill step: brands that use high pressure processing, such as We Feed Raw, reduce bacteria without cooking.
- Owners on a budget: fresh-cooked or quality commercial diets usually cost less per day.
- Pets with health conditions: ask your vet before using raw or therapeutic diets.
Alternatives to Darwin's
- We Feed Raw Better if you want raw food that is high pressure processed and costs less per pound. Read review
- The Farmer's Dog Better if you want fresh, whole-food meals without the bacteria risk of raw, since the food is gently cooked. Read review
- Ollie A cooked fresh option also sold at Petco, if you want to buy in a store. Read review
- A complete and balanced commercial diet your vet recommends The lowest-cost and lowest-risk choice for many pets; ask your vet before switching to raw.
Darwin's reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Darwin's dog food safe?
Darwin's says it uses human-grade ingredients and an organic acid wash, but the FDA has found Salmonella, Listeria or E. coli in Darwin's lots many times, most recently in 2024 and 2025. Raw food carries real bacteria risk, so talk to your vet first.
Has Darwin's pet food been recalled?
Yes. Darwin's recalled specific lots in 2017 and 2018. Since then the FDA has issued several do-not-feed advisories and said Darwin's did not recall lots it asked to be recalled in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Why does the FDA keep warning about Darwin's?
FDA testing, often after consumer complaints, has found Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 in Darwin's raw food. The FDA treats any Salmonella in pet food as adulteration, a position Darwin's has disputed.
What does Darwin's charge?
Between $15 and $29.25 per 2 lb pack for dog food and $22 to $28.25 for cat food, as listed October 2026. Subscribers save 10%, and shipping is free over 20 lb.
Where is Darwin's pet food made?
At the company's facility at 350 Treck Drive in Tukwila, Washington. Darwin's says most meat comes from US farms, with some lamb from New Zealand and Australia.
Is Darwin's AAFCO complete and balanced?
Darwin's says every recipe meets or exceeds AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages and is reviewed by veterinary nutritionists. Its Intelligent Design therapeutic meals require a prescription.
What is the difference between Natural Selections and BioLogics?
Natural Selections uses free-range meat and organic vegetables. BioLogics uses conventional ingredients and costs about 15% less, according to Darwin's.
Can I cancel my Darwin's subscription?
Yes. You can pause, skip or cancel at any time in your online account. Refunds are given only if Darwin's made an error affecting the product.
Does Darwin's ship everywhere?
It ships frozen with dry ice within the US only, including Alaska and Hawaii, but not to PO boxes. Shipping is free on orders over 20 lb in the contiguous US.
Is raw food better than kibble for dogs?
There is no consensus. Raw diets carry bacteria risks for pets and people, and the FDA and many vets advise caution. Ask your vet which diet fits your pet's health and your household.
Sources (16)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Darwin's: Our story (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Darwin's: Online store product listing with prices (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Darwin's: FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Darwin's: Shipping policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Darwin's: Refund policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Warning letter to Arrow Reliance Inc. (February 16, 2023) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Advisory, Darwin's pet food and E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella (July 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Advisory, Darwin's BioLogics dog food and Salmonella and Listeria (September 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Advisory, Darwin's Natural Selections and Salmonella and Listeria (September 2024) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Advisory, Darwin's dog and cat food and Salmonella (2023) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Caution on Darwin's cat food and Salmonella (August 2022) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Caution on three lots of Darwin's dog food (March 2019) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FDA: Warning letter to Arrow Reliance Inc. (April 2, 2018) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Darwin's Natural Pet Products reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Darwins Natural Pet Products (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Darwin's: Safety standards (accessed October 12, 2026)
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