Pet Food Patrol Sends out Dog Food Recall Advisory

For those worried about whether they have good dog food or pet food, this advisory is a must-read. The Pet Food Patrol, a company based in San Francisco, California, has set out an advisory about an FDA dog food recall.

In total, 28 dogs have died and eight more have become sick after eating dog food containing a potentially deadly toxin. Therefore, some pet foods were recalled last Wednesday, December 30, 2020.

It has been determined that some products from the Sportmix pet food line contain unhealthy levels of aflatoxin. The FDA is investigating reports about “potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin.”

The mold Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, according to the FDA. The mold is known to grow on corn and other grains. Many of these grains are used in pet foods.

In all, nine lots of pet food have been recalled by Midwest Pet Food Inc., the manufacturers of Sportmix pet foods.

The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020, is:

Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L2Exp 03/02/22/05/L3Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L2Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Lot code information may be found on the back of bag and will appear in a three-line code, with the top line in format “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM”

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the FDA are working with Midwest Pet Foods Inc. to see if any other products were made with ingredients containing potentially deadly levels of aflatoxin. As more information comes in, the list above could expand.

Pet food retailers are warned not to donate or sell pet food products that are affected. The manufacturer must be contacted if further instructions are needed. Retailers must also contact customers who could have purchased the products if they have shopper card records or any other way to identify purchasers.

If a pet is showing symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, please contact a veterinarian immediately. Even if a pet is asymptomatic, it could suffer liver damage. Contact a professional if a pet has consumed tainted products. Take a picture of the pet food label and lot number.

Do not feed tainted products to any animal. Discard the product in a safe way so that wildlife, pets, and children cannot get to them. Also be aware of the need to sanitize the pet’s food bowls, food scoops. This can be done using bleach. Make sure everything is rinsed thoroughly with water. Everything must then be thoroughly dried.

Loss of appetite, sluggishness, jaundice, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning. Any pet showing these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Use good dog food or good pet food and keep them healthy and safe.