Pet owners and veterinarians are being warned about recalled Sportmix pet food products that have been linked to the deaths of more than 70 dogs and the diseases of 80 others.
Midwestern Pet Food is expanding its recall of dog and cat foods sold online by retailers as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigates the potentially deadly levels of aflatoxins.
Midwestern, based in Evansville, Indiana, is expanding its prior recall to include all pet foods produced in the Oklahoma company that contain wheat and have an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022.
The recalled products contain ’05’ in the date / lot code, which identifies that they were made at the Oklahoma plant. More than 1,000 lottery codes are affected.
The company only recalled in December certain lots of his Sportmix product after the death of at least 28 dogs and the diseases of eight others. The Missouri Department of Agriculture has tested several product samples and, according to the FDA, found high levels of aflatoxins, which are toxins produced by mold.
The toxins can occur, even if there is no visible form, the agency warns.
Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellow tint in the eyes or gums due to liver damage) and diarrhea. Pets can also suffer liver damage without showing symptoms.
“The FDA is issuing this advice to alert the public to the potentially deadly levels of aflatoxins in Midwestern pet food products that may still be on store shelves, online or in pet homes,” the agency said in a warning.
“We are continuing a thorough review of our facilities and practices in full cooperation with the FDA,” the nearly 100-year-old company said in a statement Tuesday. “Until recently, we never recalled a product.”
Clients with questions can staff a call center with licensed veterinarians at (800) 474-4163, ext. 455, or send an email to [email protected], Midwestern said.