Pet parents who once reached for Stewart-brand freeze-dried liver treats are now scanning Reddit threads and FDA bulletins with the same anxiety they reserve for salmonella spinach alerts. If you’ve found yourself side-eyeing every bag in the pantry or wondering whether “made in the USA” still means worry-free, you’re not alone—recalls reshape shopping habits overnight, especially when the staple reward you’ve trusted for years suddenly sports a red-flag notice. The good news? The freeze-dried category has exploded with safer, next-generation options that keep the nutrition, taste, and convenience you loved about Stewart while dialing the risk factors down to almost zero. Below, you’ll learn exactly what went wrong, why transparency now trumps marketing claims, and how to vet any new package like a pro—long before it lands in your training pouch.
Top 10 Stewart Dog Treats Recalls
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Beef Liver, 21 Ounce Value Size, Approx. 475 Pieces per Resealable Tub, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: Stewart’s 21-ounce beef-liver tub is the granddaddy of freeze-dried training rewards—475 bite-size pieces of pure, USDA-certified beef liver that promise three full months of motivation for dogs (and cats) of every size.
What Makes It Stand Out: This is the original 1973 recipe still crafted in small Dayton, Ohio batches; CNN Underscored just crowned it a top treat for 2024. The reseakable value tub keeps the fragile shards odor-locked yet crumb-free on pantry shelves.
Value for Money: At $35.99 you’re paying 17 ¢ per treat—half the cost of boutique 2-oz pouches—while delivering 60 % crude protein and zero fillers. For multi-dog households or sport handlers, bulk pricing is unbeatable.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Single ingredient, grain/soy/corn/gluten free; ideal for allergenic dogs
+ Clean finger food—no oily residue on pockets or treat pouches
+ Intense aroma equals lightning-fast recall
– Cubes vary in size; some dust settles at bottom (perfect meal topper, but messy for pockets)
– Once opened, tub lid can crack if overtightened; transfer to glass jar for long-term freshness
Bottom Line: If you train daily or own large breeds, this tub is the most economical, high-value reward on the market—stock it and watch obedience skyrocket.
2. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Beef Liver, 4 Ounce, Approx. 90 Pieces per Resealable Pouch, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: Stewart’s 4-oz entry pouch packs 90 squares of USA beef liver into a purse-friendly sleeve, giving puppy owners a low-risk taste of the legendary freeze-dried booster without committing to a jumbo tub.
What Makes It Stand Out: Same USDA-certified Dayton facility and CNN-praised formula as the big brother, but priced impulse-low so every pet parent can test drive professional-grade motivators before upsizing.
Value for Money: Ten dollars buys you roughly 9-10 training sessions (10 treats each), working out to about a dime per reward—cheaper than coffee-shop dog biscuits and exponentially higher in protein.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Feather-light pouch lives in jacket pockets for walks and park recalls
+ Single ingredient suits elimination diets and sensitive stomachs
+ Crumbles double as picky-eater kibble seasoning
– 4 oz vanishes fast if you have a medium/large dog or attend weekly classes
– Foil zip can lose its seal after repeated openings; clip seal recommended
Bottom Line: Perfect sampler for new puppies, gift baskets, or cats that deserve spoiling—just be ready to reorder once your dog gets one whiff.
3. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Wild Salmon, 9.5 Ounce, Approx. 190 Pieces per Resealable Tub, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: Stewart swaps liver for wild-caught salmon in this 9.5-oz tub, delivering approximately 190 omega-rich cubes that smell like a dockside market—irresistible to fish-loving pups and allergy-prone skin cases.
What Makes It Stand Out: Novel protein signature means dogs reactive to beef or chicken finally get a trainer-level jackpot reward; freeze-drying locks in natural EPA/DHA, promoting glossy coats.
Value for Money: $27.99 pushes the per-pound tag to $46, but comparable salmon foods retail near $60/lb; you’re still under 15 ¢ per treat while medicating skin issues with real fish nutrition.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Single-ingredient transparency, zero grains/gluten/soy
+ Pungent fish scent supercharges distracted outdoor sessions
+ Breaks easily into flakes for tiny mouths or calorie counting
– Fish dust is ultra-fine; open tub slowly to avoid “snow” on countertops
– Strong maritime odor may offend humans—store sealed, high on shelf
Bottom Line: If your dog itches, scratches, or simply goes bonkers for fish, this salmon tub is the holy grail of high-value, hypoallergenic reinforcement.
4. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, 3 in 1 Multi Flavor Variety Pack, 9 Ounce Resealable Tub, Training Treats or Meal Topper Dogs, High Protein, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free
Overview: Stewart’s 3-in-1 variety tub partitions 9 ounces into individually wrapped stacks of beef liver, chicken breast, and chicken liver—280 motivational morsels that let you rotate proteins and prevent taste fatigue.
What Makes It Stand Out: Unlike assorted bags that tumble flavors together, Stewart heat-seals each protein, preserving distinct aromas and simplifying rotation diets; trainers can match treat value to distraction level—beef for nuclear chaos, chicken breast for polite sits.
Value for Money: At $25.99 you sample three premium single-ingredient lines for roughly the cost of two individual 4-oz pouches, making this a cost-effective pantry experiment.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Variety combats picky eaters and allergy testing in one purchase
+ Reusable tub keeps remaining pouches fresh after first opening
+ CNN-accoladed quality, USA-made since 1973
– You receive only 3 oz of each flavor—power chewers may burn through a sleeve in days
– Chicken liver cubes are brittle; mid-tub crumbs settle unevenly
Bottom Line: Ideal for households deciding which protein drives their dog wild, or for trainers who prioritize jackpot variety—just plan to restock favorites in larger sizes.
5. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Chicken Breast, 14.8 Ounce Value Size, up to 280 Pieces per Resealable Tub, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: The 14.8-ounce chicken-breast behemoth offers 280 strips of lean, USDA white-meat goodness geared toward dogs needing lower fat yet sky-high palatability—an eight-week training treasury in one resealable tub.
What Makes It Stand Out: Where liver treats clock 10 % fat, these breast fillets sit at 4 %, making them perfect for weight-managed agility dogs or breeds prone to pancreatitis—still showering 70 % protein for muscle repair.
Value for Money: $39.99 equates to 14 ¢ per chunk and $43/lb—middle pricing between economical beef liver and premium salmon; given veterinary prescription low-fat treats can exceed $60/lb, the value proposition is solid.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
+ Single-ingredient, allergy-friendly, grain/soy/gluten free
+ Larger strips tear into custom sizes without crumbing waste
+ Mild chicken aroma pleases human noses while remaining enticing to dogs
– Texture is denser than liver; senior dogs with dental issues may need strips rehydrated
– Tub occupies serious shelf real estate—measure your pantry depth first
Bottom Line: For handlers balancing calorie control against training enthusiasm, this chicken breast tub is the lean, clean jackpot that keeps tails wagging and waistlines intact.
6. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Chicken Liver, 11.5 Ounce, Approx. 215 Pieces per Resealable Tub, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: Stewart’s chicken liver tub delivers 215 crunchy, USDA-certified, Ohio-made treats in one 11.5 oz container that stays fresh for six weeks of training or topping.
What Makes It Stand Out: It’s the original 1973 formula still freeze-dried in small batches, CNN-Underscored’s 2024 top pick, and the only single-ingredient trainer staple that doubles as a cat-safe reward.
Value for Money: At $2.17/oz you’re paying for concentrated protein—no water weight, no fillers—so each liver cube stretches further than baked biscuits; one tub can replace several bags of lesser treats.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – ultra-high value for picky dogs, resealable tub ends freezer burn, 100 % liver means zero allergens.
Cons – strong smell on fingers, price per pound looks scary, crumbs at the bottom get dusty.
Bottom Line: If you want the gold-standard motivator for obedience class or a finicky eater, this tub is worth the splurge; buy once and you’ll never go back to wheat-filled nuggets.
7. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Wild Salmon, 2.75 Ounce, Approx. 55 Pieces per Resealable Pouch, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: A 2.75 oz pouch packed with 55 wild-salmon cubes that arrive light as popcorn yet rehydrate in seconds, giving dogs pure Pacific protein without refrigeration.
What Makes It Stand Out: Wild-caught, not farmed, single-ingredient salmon sourced in the USA and freeze-dried so gently it keeps omega-3s intact—rare at this price point.
Value for Money: Twenty cents per treat feels steep until you realize each 0.05 oz piece equals a tablespoon of fresh fish; a little goes a long way for allergy pups or coat health.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – irresistible fishy scent, perfect bite size for puppies, grain-free for sensitive guts.
Cons – oily residue on fabric, pouch empties fast with big breeds, salmon dust settles at the bottom.
Bottom Line: Ideal for rotation feeding or dogs with chicken allergies; keep a pouch in your pocket for high-distraction environments and watch focus skyrocket.
8. Stewart Single Ingredient Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats, Chicken Breast, 3 Ounce, Approx. 55 Pieces per Resealable Pouch, Training Treats or Meal Topper, High Protein, Grain Free, Gluten Free
Overview: Three ounces of lean, USDA chicken breast morph into 55 crispy squares that break cleanly, making them the lowest-fat option in Stewart’s single-ingredient line.
What Makes It Stand Out: Breast meat means ultra-low calorie (≈2 kcal/treat) while still delivering 70 % protein—excellent for weight-managed or senior dogs that need flavor without fat.
Value for Money: At $4 per ounce it’s the priciest chicken format, yet you gain precision: no shrinkage, no cooking, no salmonella risk; the cost balances vet bills you avoid.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – neutral smell for indoor training, shards sprinkle perfectly over kibble, cats approve.
Cons – cubes can be dry and splinter, quantity feels small, packaging not recyclable.
Bottom Line: For trainers counting calories or owners fighting pancreatitis, these breast bites are the safest jackpot reward—just ration wisely because the pouch vanishes fast.
9. Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Food Topper, PuffTops, Bacon & Cheese, 6 Ounce Resealable Pouch, Flavor Enhancing Meal Topper or Dog Treat, Made in USA
Overview: Stewart’s PuffTops marry real bacon and cheddar into a 6 oz confetti of airy crunch that instantly turns dull kibble into a diner special while adding omegas and taurine.
What Makes It Stand Out: It’s the only bacon-cheese topper that’s nitrate-free, freeze-dried, and fortified with salmon oil and egg white—junk-food flavor minus junk-food fallout.
Value for Money: $2.38/oz sits mid-range; one tablespoon perfumes an entire bowl, so the pouch outlasts liquid toppers and saves you from cooking bacon yourself.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – dogs inhale it, resealable pouch keeps 6 mo freshness, visible carrot & sweet-potato bits add fiber.
Cons – calorie-dense (12 kcal/tbsp), grease film on hands, strong bacon smell lingers in pantry.
Bottom Line: If your dog is bored with chicken-rice routines, a quick shake of PuffTops reignites meal excitement without breaking nutritional bank—just reduce kibble to offset calories.
10. Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats, PuffPops Bacon and Cheeseburger Recipe, Gluten Free, 5.8 Ounce Resealable Pouch, Made in USA, Dog Training Treats
Overview: PuffPops Bacon-Cheeseburger presents 5.8 oz of coin-sized patties that crumble into high-value training morsels yet can sacrificially finish as a savory meal sprinkle.
What Makes It Stand Out: Freeze-drying locks in amino acids while keeping the nostalgic bacon-burger aroma that distracts even reactive dogs during leash reactivity drills.
Value for Money: $2.44/oz lands cheaper than Starbucks jerky yet yields 150+ pea-size rewards, translating to about nine cents per sit-stay—affordable for marathon classes.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros – breaks without knife, gluten-free for allergy canines, lightweight for hiking pockets.
Cons – cheese can stain light fur, smell tempts counter surfers, last bits turn into powder.
Bottom Line: A must-have for high-distraction environments; carry a pouch and you’ve got a pocket-sized cheeseburger that keeps adolescents engaged without the grease stains.
How the Stewart Recall Changed the Freeze-Dried Game
The ripple effect was immediate: retailers yanked SKUs, competing brands rushed out lab certificates, and manufacturers rewrote supplier contracts in record time. Pet owners weren’t just re-evaluating Stewart—they questioned the entire sourcing pipeline behind any single-ingredient treat. In 2025, “post-Stewart” has become shorthand for post-recall vigilance, pushing freeze-dried safety protocols into the same demanding tier as human-grade jerky.
Understanding the Specific Safety Risks Involved
From salmonella and listeria to trace pharmaceuticals in off-spec liver, the Stewart recalls highlighted four failure points: incoming raw material screening, cross-contamination during grinding, insufficient kill-steps, and lax finished-product testing. Any one gap can turn a nutrient-dense cube into a microbiological gamble.
Why Freeze-Drying Isn’t Inherently Risk-Free
Freeze-drying removes water, not pathogens. If bacteria or chemical residue is present on the raw front end, the sublimation process simply puts it into stasis, ready to reactivate the moment saliva or room-temp moisture re-enters the equation. Think of freeze-drying as a pause button—not a sterilizer.
Key Safety Certifications to Look For
Seek out brands that layer certifications: USDA Human-Grade, GFSI-benchmarked facilities (SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000), and third-party HACCP audits specifically for pet food. Bonus points if the plant also manufactures infant formula or pharma ingredients—those standards are ruthless.
Decoding Labels: From ‘Single Ingredient’ to ‘Product of USA’
“Single ingredient” only means one thing went into the extruder; it doesn’t guarantee where that ingredient lived, what it ate, or which medications it received. Likewise, “Product of USA” can apply to animals merely processed stateside. Train your eye to find “Born, Raised, and Harvested in the USA” plus batch numbers that tie back to ranch-specific records.
Audit the Protein Source: Pasture to Pouch Traceability
Ask brands for the “paddock passport”: a documented trail from ranch GPS coordinates to slaughter date. Even in 2025, only a handful of freeze-dried makers can show you a QR code leading to a video of the exact herd, the grass quality report, and the veterinary drug log. If they can’t, keep shopping.
Beyond Chicken: Novel Proteins and Allergy Considerations
Post-recall, chicken remains the most recalled freeze-dried protein. Novels like rabbit, goat, wild boar, and invasive carp naturally harbor fewer antibiotic residues and are often processed in micro-facilities that handle one species at a time—slashing cross-contamination odds while giving allergy dogs a welcome break.
The Lowdown on Salmonella & Listeria Kill-Steps
High-pressure processing (HPP) at 87,000 psi, short-wave UV light tunnels, and brief 165 °F steam “finish” passes are emerging as industry gold standards. Each method punches out pathogens without collapsing the amino-acid profile that makes freeze-dried treats so bioavailable. Look for exact log-reduction claims (≥5-log salmonella reduction) printed beside the guaranteed analysis, not buried on a website FAQ.
Packaging Tech That Prevents Recontamination
Once a bag is opened, oxygen absorbers and moisture-scavenging desiccant packs only go so far. New mono-material Mylar films laminated with zinc-oxide nanoparticles show a 99 % reduction in surface bacteria within six hours of contact. Recyclable, resealable, and opaque to UV, these pouches are becoming the new norm for premium safety-focused brands.
Reading COAs: Micro Counts, Heavy Metals, and More
Certificates of Analysis should be batch-specific and dated within 30 days of your purchase. Zero tolerance for salmonella, listeria, and E. coli 0157 should be listed in CFU/g, not just “negative.” Heavy-metal tolerances should beat EU limits (0.1 ppm lead, 0.05 ppm cadmium) even if you live stateside—because pets eat the same treat daily, compounding exposure.
Storage Hacks to Keep Post-Opening Risk at Zero
Pop the original bag inside a second, BPA-free freezer container, squeeze out excess air, and park it below 40 °F. Every 24 hours at room temperature can raise microbial load by half a log; freezing arrests it. Portion a week’s worth into a silicone pouch for daily walks, Refill from the frozen master bag to limit condensation cycles.
Cost vs. Safety: Budgeting After a Recall
Fast math: a 4-oz chicken liver bag priced 20 % higher but independently lab-verified costs less than a single emergency vet visit. Safer brands also yield better feed efficiency—because nutrient density stays intact, you use 30 % fewer pieces during training. Allocate treat budget as a per-diurnal cost, not sticker price per ounce.
Transitioning Your Dog Without Tummy Turmoil
Switch over seven days: exchange 25 % of the old treat volume daily while trimming equivalent calories from meal portions. Introduce one protein at a time; if stools stay firm and skin stays calm for 72 hours, you’ve passed the tolerance checkpoint. Freeze-dried bites rehydrate in warm goat’s milk for senior dogs or puppies adapting to richer amino spreads.
Homework Help: Research Red Flags & Where to Spot Them
Glance through FDA 483 inspection reports on Import Alert 72-03 for foreign freeze-dry facilities; even tentative entries signal repeat violations. Petfoodology.org keeps a running “Rapid Alert” list cross-linked to AAFCO ingredient definitions. Follow FOIAd inspection logs for the precise plant that packages your shortlist—recalls often lag months behind failed audits.
Questions to Ask Manufacturers Before You Click ‘Buy’
- Can you email the most recentBatch COA within five minutes?
- What kill-step does your HACCP plan call “CCP-1,” and what validation data backs it?
- Do you maintain segregated production lines for raw ingredient grinding vs. cooked?
- Will you disclose the name of the third-party lab that tests your finished goods?
- What recall insurance coverage do you carry, and what is the per-incident pet-parent reimbursement cap?
Future-Proofing: Tech Trends on the 2025 Horizon
Expect blockchain traceability ledgers synced with NFC bag tags—tap your phone to view ranch rainfall data. AI-driven hyperspectral cameras now scan every liver slice for bruises (a microbial hot-spot) in real time, instantly rejecting suspect pieces. Finally, watch for fermented postbiotics co-sprayed onto treats, creating an inhospitable surface for pathogen growth while boosting gut health for the dog actually eating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does freeze-drying kill salmonella naturally, or is an extra kill-step always needed?
Q2: If a brand advertises “test and hold,” how long should they sit on inventory before release?
Q3: Are novel proteins like rabbit safer just because they’re less common, or can they also carry pathogens?
Q4: Can I trust a COA that the manufacturer generates in-house instead of from an independent lab?
Q5: How soon after opening a bag do I need to transfer extras to the freezer?
Q6: Is high-pressure processing (HPP) safe for nutrients like taurine in heart treats?
Q7: What’s the quickest way to confirm a facility’s USDA Human-Grade certification number?
Q8: Do metal detectors at the plant protect against bacterial contamination, or only physical hazards?
Q9: If my dog has a sensitive stomach, should I rehydrate freeze-dried treats or feed them dry?
Q10: Are lot-specific QR codes legally required on pet treat packaging in 2025?