A recent recall is a good reminder of what actually separates a well-run supplement company from one that got caught by a bad ingredient — and why that distinction matters for every supplement you buy, human or pet.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against peer-reviewed research and government health data
Quick Answer
In September 2026, Fi (Vet Plus, Inc.) recalled its Calming Supplement and 8-in-1 Formula supplements for dogs over potential salmonella contamination traced to a supplied ingredient [1]. No illnesses were reported at the time of the announcement, and the company acted before harm was confirmed — which is actually the system working as intended. The bigger takeaway isn't "avoid that brand," it's understanding what quality practices (ingredient sourcing checks, third-party testing, batch traceability) are supposed to catch problems like this before they ever reach a shelf, and how to tell whether a company you buy from actually has them.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What happened
On September 3, 2026, Fi (manufactured by Vet Plus, Inc.) recalled two products — its Calming Supplement for Dogs (180g, Lot 26118) and its 8-in-1 Formula Supplement for Dogs (180g, Lot 26159) — due to the potential for salmonella contamination traced to an ingredient supplied to the manufacturer [1]. The products were sold direct-to-consumer and through Amazon and Chewy.com. The FDA published the recall notice on September 8, 2026. As of the announcement, no illnesses had been documented; the company discontinued production while investigating the source [1]. Affected customers were told to stop use immediately, seal and discard the product, and contact the company with questions.
Why this isn't really a "bad company" story
It's tempting to read a recall as evidence a company cut corners. Sometimes that's true — but often, a recall like this one is closer to the opposite: it means someone caught the problem, traced it back through the supply chain to a specific ingredient and lot, and pulled the product before confirmed harm occurred. That kind of traceability doesn't happen by accident. It requires a manufacturer to know exactly which ingredient lots went into which product batches — the infrastructure has to already exist before the problem does.
The honest summary
- A recall isn't proof of negligence by itself — it can be proof that a company's traceability systems worked. The real question worth asking about any supplement brand isn't "have they ever had a recall," it's "do they have the systems to catch a problem and act on it."
What actually prevents this
Contamination risk in supplements — human or pet — mostly traces back to raw ingredient sourcing, not the finished-product manufacturing step itself. The practices that reduce this risk include:
- Supplier qualification and ingredient testing before a raw material ever enters production
- Third-party lab testing of finished batches, not just self-certification
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified facilities, which require documented quality-control processes at every stage
- Batch-level traceability, so if something is later flagged, the company can identify and isolate exactly which lots are affected — rather than pulling an entire product line blind
How to evaluate any supplement brand's quality practices
Before buying from any supplement brand — for yourself, your kids, or your pets — a few label and website checks tell you a lot:
- Does the brand disclose whether it's third-party tested, and can you find any actual documentation (not just a badge on the label)?
- Is the manufacturing facility GMP certified, and does the brand say so specifically rather than vaguely?
- Does the company publish lot numbers on packaging, so a recall (if one ever happens) can be targeted rather than sweeping?
- Is there a real customer service contact for safety questions, not just a generic inbox?
Our approach
OUR OPTION
Vita Globe is vertically integrated — we formulate, manufacture, test, and package across our own Long Island facilities rather than outsourcing to an unknown third party, which is part of how we maintain batch-level traceability on everything we make. Every batch goes through our internal Label Check Promise process before it ships, and our products are third-party tested. We don't make pet supplements today, but the same standards apply across our human supplement lines — see our Certifications page and The Truth About High-Quality Supplements: What You Need to Know for more on what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone or any pet reported harmed by this recall?
No illnesses had been documented as of the FDA's published notice — the recall was issued as a precaution based on the contamination risk, not a confirmed outbreak [1].
What should I do if I have one of the recalled products?
Stop use immediately, seal the container, and dispose of it. Contact Fi/Vet Plus, Inc. directly at 1-888-434-3647 or support@tryfi.com with questions [1].
Does a recall mean I should never buy from that brand again?
Not necessarily — it depends on how the company responds: how quickly they acted, how clearly they communicated, and whether they can show what changed in their sourcing process afterward. Judge the response, not just the incident.
How is Salmonella contamination usually caught in supplements?
Most often through routine ingredient or finished-batch testing, either by the manufacturer, a supplier, or a regulatory spot-check — which is exactly why third-party testing and batch traceability matter as much as they do.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Fi Recalls Supplements for Dogs Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
Our editorial team researches and writes content grounded in peer-reviewed studies and guidance from bodies like the NIH, FDA, and FTC. We update articles as the evidence evolves. Learn more on our editorial team page.
Related reading: The Truth About High-Quality Supplements: What You Need to Know
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, immunocompromised, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
