What to know about the FDA

The FDA recalled several batches of a popular brand of feed after at least 28 dogs died of suspected aflatoxin poisoning.

Here is the information from the FDA:

As of December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of certain batches of pet food Sportmix products after the FDA was alerted to reports of at least 28 dogs that died and eight that fell ill after consuming the collected Sportmix pet food. Several product samples have been tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by mold Aspergillus flavus and at high levels it can cause illness and death in pets. The toxin may be present even if there is no visible mold.

The FDA is issuing this warning to notify the public of the potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin in pet food products that may still be on store shelves, online or in the homes of pet owners.

The FDA is conducting follow-up activities at the manufacturing facility.

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

Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same food continuously for long periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin can accumulate in the animal’s system as they continue to eat the same food.

Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint in the 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 any symptoms. Pet owners whose pets ate the collected products should contact their veterinarians, especially if they show signs of illness.

There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxin are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling the feed.

On December 30, 2020, Midwest Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of nine batches of Sportmix feed products. The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the company to determine whether any additional products may have been made with the same ingredients containing potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. As new information becomes available, this product list may continue to expand.

The recalled dry food product list announced by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:

• 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 Exp bag 03/02/22/05 / L3 Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb Exp bag 03/03/22/05 / L3
• Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb Exp bag 03/03/22/05 / L3 Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb bag 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 lot code information can be found on the back of the bag and will appear in a three-line code, with the top line in the format “EXP 03/03/22/05 / L # / B ### / HH: MM ”

Do not sell or donate the affected feed products. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased collected products, if they have the means to do so (for example, through consumer card registrations or point of sale signs).

If your pet shows symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even pets without symptoms may have suffered liver damage, so you may want to contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten any of the collected products. Provide your veterinarian with a complete diet history. It may be useful to take a picture of the feed label, including the batch number.

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

There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxin are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling any feed.

You can report suspected disease to the FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaints Coordinators. It is most useful if you can work with your veterinarian to send your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of details that would be useful to include in a complaint to the FDA, see How to report a pet food complaint.