What you need to know about the FDA

The FDA has recalled several batches of a popular brand of pet food after at least 28 dogs died on suspicion of aflatoxin poisoning.

Here is the FDA information:

On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a withdrawal of some batches of Sportmix pet food products after the FDA was alerted to reports of at least 28 dogs that died and eight that fell ill after consuming the Sportmix pet food record. The Missouri Department of Agriculture tested several product samples and found them to contain very high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the 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 about the potentially deadly levels of aflatoxin in pet food products that may still be on store shelves, online, or at home from pet owners.

The FDA is conducting monitoring activities at the manufacturing plant.

This is a developing situation and the FDA will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people who eat a varied diet, pets tend to eat the same food continuously for extended periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin could build up in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food.

Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as slowness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of 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 liver damage without showing symptoms. Pet owners whose pets have eaten the withdrawn products should contact their veterinarians, especially if they show signs of illness.

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

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

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

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

The lot 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 products. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased withdrawn products, if they have the means to do so (e.g., through buyer card records or point-of-sale signs). ).

If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even asymptomatic pets may have suffered liver damage, so we recommend that you contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten any of the products listed. Provide a complete dietary history to your veterinarian. You may find it helpful to take a photo of the pet food label, including the batch number.

Do not feed the remembered products to your pets or any other animal. Contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or discard the products so that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them. Dispose of pet food bowls, spoons, and storage containers with bleach, then wash them thoroughly with water and dry them well.

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

You can report suspected illness to the FDA electronically through the safety reporting portal or by calling your state’s FDA consumer claims coordinators. It is very helpful if you can work with your veterinarian to submit your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.