Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling nine lots of Sportmix pet food products, because they contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. FDA is aware of at least 28 deaths and eight illnesses in dogs that consumed the recalled product.
Affected Products
The following products were distributed to online retailers and stores across the United States.
- Sportmix Energy Plus
Size: 50 lb. bag
Exp: 03/02/22/05/L2, 03/02/22/05/L3, 03/03/22/05/L2 - Sportmix Energy Plus
Size: 44 lb. bag
Exp: 03/02/22/05/L3 - Sportmix Premium High Energy
Size: 50 lb. bag
Exp: 03/03/22/05/L3 - Sportmix Premium High Energy
Size: 44 lb. bag
Exp: 03/03/22/05/L3 - Sportmix Original Cat
Size: 31 lb. bag
Exp: 03/03/22/05/L3 - Sportmix Original Cat
Size: 15 lb. bag
Exp: 03/03/22/05/L2, 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.” (See image below.)
What to Do
Consumers who have purchased any of the above products should discontinue use immediately. 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 them. Sanitize pet food bowls, scoops, and storage containers with bleach and rinse well. Although there is no evidence to suggest that people who handle products containing aflatoxin are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning, pet owners are advised to wash their hands after handling the food.
Monitor Your Pets
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which, at high levels, can cause illness and death in pets. The toxin can be present even if there is no visible mold. Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning, because they generally eat the same food continuously over extended periods of time, which allows the toxin to accumulate in the pet’s system. Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as:
- Sluggishness
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage)
- Diarrhea
In some cases, this toxicity can cause long-term liver issues and/or death. Some pets suffer liver damage without showing any symptoms. Pet owners whose pets have been eating the recalled products should contact their veterinarians, especially if they are showing signs of illness. [ Find a Vet⋙ ]
—Source: FDA, Dog Food Adviser, & Food Safety News
