PROUD DOG MOM UPDATED: Jan 29, 2021
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is alerting pet parents, veterinary professionals, and pet retailers across the globe about a deadly dog food recall that continues to expand.
This recall first made the news on December 30, 2020, after reports of at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses in dogs who had eaten the recalled product. On January 26, 2021, officials released the newest details. Now, the FDA is aware of more than 110 pets that have died and more than 210 pets that are sick. Plus, the FDA added a list of countries where the recalled products may have been exported.
The Backstory
On December 30, 2020, manufacturer Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. announced they were recalling certain lots of their Sportmix pet food products. That announcement came after the FDA received reports of at least 28 dogs that had died and eight that were ill after consuming the recalled food.
At that time, multiple food samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring mold by-product that can be harmful (and even deadly) to pets if consumed in large quantities. The toxin can be present even if there is no visible mold on the food.
While I go into more detail below, Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in pets.
On January 11, 2021, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. expanded the recall to include all pet foods containing corn and manufactured in the company’s Oklahoma plant, and having an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022.
As of January 21, 2021, FDA officials say they’ve been made aware of more than 110 dogs that have died and more than 210 that are sick after eating certain pet food manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods. According to the FDA’s official recall notice:
“Not all of these cases have been officially confirmed as aflatoxin poisoning through laboratory testing or veterinary record review. This count is approximate and may not reflect the total number of pets affected.”
The Newest Update
Along with the updated death and illness count, on January 26, 2021, the FDA says the foods have been distributed nationwide in the United States PLUS exported to 35 other countries. See the full list below.
The Foods to Watch For
On December 30, 2020, Midwest Pet Food, Inc. recalled nine total lots of Sportmix pet food products. On January 11, 2021, they expanded that list to include all pet foods containing corn and manufactured in the company’s Oklahoma plant, and having an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022.
Since the expansion, now, more than 1000 lot codes are affected. Since there are so many lot codes, as you review the recalled food lists below, you will notice the new list does not include individual codes. These lists are taken from the FDA’s official recall notice.
The Original Recalled List:
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 lb. bag
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
The Expanded Recalled List Also Includes:
According to the FDA: “Lots of the following pet food products have been recalled if the date/lot code includes an expiration date on or before “07/09/22” and includes “05” in the date/lot code, which identifies products made in the Oklahoma plant.”
- Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk, 40 lb. bag
- Pro Pac Performance Puppy, 40 lb. bag
- Splash Fat Cat 32%, 50 lb. bag
- Nunn Better Maintenance, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag
- Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag
- Sportmix Maintenance, 44 lb. bag
- Sportmix Maintenance, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix High Protein, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag
- Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix Stamina, 44 lb. bag
- Sportmix Stamina, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix Bite Size, 40 lb. bag
- Sportmix Bite Size, 44 lb. bag
- Sportmix High Energy, 44 lb. bag
- Sportmix High Energy, 50 lb. bag
- Sportmix Premium Puppy, 16.5 lb. bag
- Sportmix Premium Puppy, 33 lb. bag
According to the FDA: Lot code information can be found on the back of the pet food bag. It will appear in a three-line code, with the top line in the format: “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM”
Where Were These Foods Distributed?
The recalled foods were distributed online and in stores across the United States. In the FDA’s most recent recall update, they have expanded this list.
According to the FDA, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. may have exported the recalled product to one consignee, respectively, in each of the following countries:
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Polynesia
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Korea
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Peru
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Trinidad
- Ukraine
- UAE
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
While this is an ongoing investigation, the FDA issued an alert notice to let the public know these food products may still be on store shelves, online, or in your home!
An Ongoing Investigation
As officials continue investigating, they are looking to see if any additional products may have been made with the same ingredients that contain such levels of aflatoxin. As they dig deeper into this case, officials warn case counts and the scope of this pending recall may expand.
Proud Dog Mom will continue monitoring and update this listing as new information becomes available.
Feed This Food? Here’s What to Do!
First things first: If you feed any of the recalled foods to your pets then stop immediately. Either throw it away (in a way children, pets, and wildlife cannot access it) or contact the company listed on the package for further instructions.
Along with tossing the recalled food, sanitize all pet bowls, food scoopers, and storage containers. The FDA recommends using bleach and rinsing well afterward with water, and drying thoroughly.
If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning (listed below) then contact your veterinarian immediately. Even if your pet doesn’t have any symptoms, though, FDA officials encourage all pet parents who have fed this food to speak with their vets. They said, even if pets don’t show symptoms, they may still suffer from liver damage.
About Aflatoxin
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
Again, if your dog shows any signs or symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
