The products may contain unsafe levels of a toxin dangerous to dogs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding a dog-food recall ofcertain products from multiple brands that may contain an unsafe level of atoxin called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a byproduct of a type of mold (Aspergillus flavus ) that can grow on grains commonly used in pet food,according to the FDA. When pets consume too much aflatoxin, it can causesickness and, in some severe cases, longterm liver issues and/or death.
Pet-food manufacturer Sunshine Mills, Inc., first announced the voluntaryrecall on September 2 after the Louisiana Department of Agriculture andForestry (DAF) found elevated levels of aflatoxin in a bag of dog food duringroutine sample testing. (According to Sunshine Mills’ October 9 announcement,there have been no reports of sickness linked to recalled products yet.) Theinitial recall included 12 lots of six different dog-food products, from threedifferent brands.
A subsequent FDA investigation traced the products back to a single load ofcorn containing high levels of aflatoxin that was used as an ingredient inproducts manufactured from April 3 to April 5, 2020, and distributed toretailers nationwide. On October 8, Sunshine Mills expanded the dog-foodrecall to other products made with that load of corn, adding multiple lots of21 additional products from 15 more brands (including two cat-food products).Currently, the FDA and the Louisiana DAF are continuing to investigate theseand other potentially unsafe corn-based pet foods from the Sunshine Millsmanufacturing plant. They may add new products to the recall list and updatethis page as they learn more.
If you own one of the recalled products, stop feeding it to your pet, throw itaway, and consult a veterinarian—especially if your pet is showing signs ofaflatoxin poisoning. Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning may include sluggishness,diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes orgums). However, it is also possible for pets to suffer liver damage fromaflatoxin without showing any signs of illness, the FDA says, so you may wantto consult a vet regardless of whether your pet is acting sick. The FDA alsorecommends sanitizing food bowls, scoops, and storage containers using bleachand water rinses.
Sunshine Mills says customers can return a partially used bag of recalled foodto where you bought it for a full refund. And you may report suspected casesof aflatoxin poisoning to the FDA. By the way: While the FDA does recommendwashing your hands after touching pet food, there is no evidence to suggestthat handling products with aflatoxin in them puts humans at risk of aflatoxinpoisoning.
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