What to know from the FDA

The FDA has recalled many popular brands of pet food after at least 28 dogs died from suspected aflatoxin poisoning.

Here is the information from the FDA:

On 30 December 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall from certain batches of Sportmix pet food produced after the FDA was alerted to reports of at least 28 dogs that died and eight that became ill after consuming the pet food mentioned Sportmix. Several product samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by mold Aspergillus flavus and at high levels can cause disease and death in pets. The toxin may be present even if there is no visible mold.

The FDA issues this notice to notify the public of potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin in pet food that may still be on store shelves, online or in pet owners’ homes.

The FDA conducts follow-up activities at the production unit.

This is an evolving situation, and the FDA will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

Pets are extremely sensitive to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same food continuously for long periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin can build up in the pet’s system because it continues to eat the same food.

Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as slowness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tinge in the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage) and / or diarrhea. In some cases, this toxicity can cause long-term liver problems and / or death. Some pets suffer from liver damage without symptoms. Pet owners whose pets have eaten the said products should contact veterinarians, especially if they show signs of illness.

There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners handling aflatoxin-containing products are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food.

As of December 30, 2020, Midwest Pet Food, Inc. announced the withdrawal of nine total batches of Sportmix pet food. The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the company to determine if additional products could have been made with the same ingredients that contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. As new information becomes available, this list of products may continue to expand.

List of dried pet food mentioned by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:

• Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb bag Exp 03/02/22/05 / L2 Exp 03/02/22/05 / L3 Exp 03/03/22/05 / L2
• Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. Exp bag 03/02/22/05 / L3 Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. Exp. 03/03/22/05 / L3
• Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb Exp bag 03/03/22/05 / L3 Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb Exp bag. 03/03/22/05 / L3
• Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. Exp. 03/03/22/05 / L2 Exp. 03/03/22/05 / L3

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

Do not sell or donate affected pet food. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased recalled products if they have the means to do so (such as through buyer card records or point-of-sale signs).

If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even asymptomatic pets can suffer liver damage, so you may want to contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten any of the above products. Provide a complete history of your veterinarian’s diet. It may be helpful to take a photo of the pet food label, including the batch number.

Do not feed the products mentioned to pets or any other animal. Contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or dispose of the products in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access. Sanitize pet food bowls, spoons, and storage containers using bleach, then rinse well with water, and dry well.

There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners handling aflatoxin-containing products are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling any pet food.

You can report the suspected disease to the FDA through the safety reporting portal or by calling the FDA state consumer complaint coordinators. It is very helpful if you can work with your veterinarian to send your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful in including in an FDA complaint, please see How to report a pet food complaint.