What to know about the FDA

The FDA has recalled several lots of a popular pet food brand after at least 28 dogs died from suspected aflatoxin poisoning.

Here is the information from the FDA:

On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of certain lots of Sportmix pet food products after the FDA was notified of reports of at least 28 dogs being killed and eight becoming ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food. Several product samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and were found to contain very high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus and at high levels it can cause illness and death in pets. The toxin can occur even if there is no visible form.

The FDA is issuing this advice to inform the public about the potentially deadly levels of aflatoxin in pet foods that may still be on store shelves, online or in pet homes.

FDA is engaged in follow-up activities at the manufacturing facility.

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

Pets are very susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because pets, unlike people who eat a different diet, usually eat the same food over a long period of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin may accumulate in the pet’s system as they are still eating the same food.

Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as lethargy, appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish 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 recalled products should contact their veterinarians, especially if they show signs of illness.

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

On December 30, 2020, Midwest Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of nine total Sportmix pet products. The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the firm to determine if additional products are made with the same ingredients that contain potentially deadly levels of aflatoxin. As new information becomes available, this product list may continue to expand.

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

• 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-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 lbs. sak Exp 03/03/22/05 / L2 Exp 03/03/22/05 / L3

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

Do not sell or donate the relevant pet food products. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased purchased products if they have the means to do so (such as through the buyer’s card vouchers or points of sale).

If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even asymptomatic pets may have suffered liver damage, so you may want to contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten any of the recalled products. Provide a complete diet history to your veterinarian. You may find it helpful to take a photo of the pet label, including the lot number.

Do not feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animal. Contact the company listed on the packaging for further instructions or throw away the products so that children, pets and wild animals do not have access to them. Spoon pet food bowls, scoops and storage containers with bleach, then rinse well with water and dry thoroughly.

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

You can report suspected diseases electronically to the FDA via the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaints Coordinators. This is very useful if you can submit the medical records of your pet with your veterinarian as part of your report. For a breakdown 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.