Sunshine Mills, Inc. is back in the news for a third time in just two months for yet another dog food recall. This time, the recall includes 15 pet food brands!
- In their first voluntary recall, Sunshine Mills reported some of its Nature’s Menu® food may be contained with Salmonella (you can read more about that recall HERE).
- Their second voluntary recalled was for bags of Family Pet, Heartland Farms, and Paws Happy Life dry dog foods. Routine sampling showed elevated levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring mold by-product that can be harmful to pets if consumed in large quantities. (You can read more about that recall HERE.)
- Sunshine Mills is now expanding that second recall, as even more foods contain Aflatoxin at levels above FDA’s action levels.
The Backstory Behind This New Recall
Sunshine Mills, Inc. is expanding its voluntary recall for certain pet food products. What they all have in common: They’re all made with corn. According to the official recall notice, the foods contained Aflatoxin at levels above FDA’s action levels.
This expanded recall comes after an investigation conducted along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They determined additional corn-based pet food products produced between April 3, 2020 and April 5, 2020 may contain corn from a single load of the crop with elevated levels of aflatoxin.
More on aflatoxin in just a minute …
The List of Recalled Foods
Brands included in this expanded recall include: Champ®, Field Trial®, Good Dog, Hunter’s Special®, Old Glory®, Paws Happy Life®, Pet Expert, Principle, Retriever®, River Bend, Sportsman’s Pride®, Sprout®, Thrifty®, Top Runner®, and Whiskers & Tails.
The following chart of affected foods is from the FDA. If you suspect you feed any of these foods, check the lot code located on the back of the bag.
No other brand products or lot codes of these products were affected by this voluntary recall.
Where The Products Were Sold
Affected brands were distributed in retail stores within the United States.
Principle Super Premium Natural Dog Food is exported exclusively to a distributor in Japan.
Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food is also exported to a distributor in Japan and Colombia.
About Aflatoxin
Important note: To date, no illnesses have been reported in association with these products.
When it comes to aflatoxins (a type of mycotoxin) in pet foods, the problem begins at the agricultural crop level. Crops grown in certain weather conditions can develop such mold.
According to holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, “In addition to better testing for aflatoxins in raw materials like corn plants, it’s extremely important that pet food producers also perform their own analyses. Mycotoxins are known to be resistant to heat and processing methods, so manufacturers of pet food should assume any formula containing mycotoxin-contaminated raw materials will also contain these toxins.”
Pet health experts say aflatoxins can attack the liver and lead to tumor formation. According to Dr. Becker, “Certain types of aflatoxins are associated with the development of cancer in animals.”
If your dog has eaten any of the recalled food, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Sluggishness or lethargy
- Reluctance to eat
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea / bloody diarrhea
- Jaundice / a yellowish tint to the eyes or gums
If your dog shows any signs or symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Feed This Food?
Retailers have already been contacted and asked to pull the affected lots from their inventory and shelves.
If you feed any of the recalled foods mentioned above, stop feeding it ASAP. You can return any unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Sunshine Mills, Inc. customer service:
By phone at (800)705-2111 from 7 am to 4 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday
Or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com
