BylineIndependent coverage of pet food safety, veterinary research, and the regulatory gaps that put animals at risk. Read by 147,000 owners, fosters, and vets.
"We published the Diamond recall story 11 days before the FDA announcement."
The Numbers
Don't Lie.
FDA Class I and Class II pet food recalls have increased 165% since 2020. Most owners hear about them 9–14 days after initial alert.
Annual FDA Pet Food Recalls (2020–2025)
+165%
Recall volume increase since 2020
Recall by Food Category
Most recalled category
Fastest growing recall type
Listeria contamination primary driver
Often missed by owners
11 days
Avg. Byline lead time before mainstream coverage
147K
Subscribers receiving real-time alerts
Stories We
Broke First.
All stories verified with
lab reports or FDA filings
Aflatoxin Levels in Midwest-Distributed Kibble Exceed Safe Thresholds by 340%
Lab analysis commissioned by Byline confirms three lot numbers from a Wichita facility. FDA notification pending.
The "Natural" Label on Your Cat Food Means Nothing. Here's the Proof.
A 14-month investigation into AAFCO labeling loopholes reveals how "natural" can legally include rendered roadkill.
Salmonella Contamination in Freeze-Dried Raw Treats Linked to 47 Sick Dogs Across 12 States
Byline mapped the illness cluster before the brand issued a voluntary recall. Full lot number list inside.
Phosphorus Levels in Popular CKD Diets Are Higher Than the Bag Claims
Third-party lab testing of 11 "kidney support" formulas found four with phosphorus 20–35% above labeled values.
How a Single Rendering Plant Supplied Contaminated Protein to Six "Premium" Brands
Follow the supply chain from condemned livestock to the shelf of your boutique pet store.
Archive: 2,400+ investigations since 2021 · All sources on record
The Bylines
Behind The Brief.
Three journalists. A veterinary internist, a regulatory correspondent, and a supply chain investigator. No affiliate links. No sponsored content.
Marguerite Holloway
Editor-in-Chief
Former FDA enforcement correspondent. 18 years covering food safety at the federal level. Filed 12 FOIA requests in 2025 alone.
340+
Investigations
22
FDA Citations
Dr. Priya Venkataraman
Veterinary Science Editor
Board-certified veterinary internist. Translates peer-reviewed research into language owners actually use. Specializes in feline IBD and CKD diets.
1,200+
Studies Reviewed
89
Vet Consultations
DeShawn Okafor
Data & Supply Chain Reporter
Investigative reporter who maps rendering plant supply chains. Built the proprietary recall database that powers Byline's alert system.
180+
Plants Tracked
269
Recalls Mapped
Byline accepts no advertising from pet food brands · Independent since 2021
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