Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/midwestern-pet-foods-recall-expanded/

Midwestern Pet Foods just announced it’s expanding their recall to over 1000 lots of dog and cat food due to possible fatal levels of aflatoxin.

On December 30, 2020, the company announced a recall of three varieties of Sportmix dog foods and cat food after 28 dogs died after eating the contaminated food.

The pet food company issued an expansion of the original recall on January, 11, after 42 more dogs died and dozens more fell ill after eating the company’s product.

midwestern pet foods recall expanded 2 - 70 Dogs Have Died And 80 More Sick After Eating Pet Food With High Levels Of Aflatoxin, Recall Expanded
Photo: Pixabay

Missouri Department of Agriculture tested multiple product samples and found very high levels of aflatoxins, which initiated the first recall. “Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus and, at high levels, can cause illness and death in pets. The toxins can be present even if there is no visible mold,” states FDA.

To date, the FDA reports that “70 pets that have died and more than 80 pets that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food.” This number is just an estimate as the agency states, “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.”

Midwestern Pet Foods expanded the recall to include additional products that contain corn and were made in their Oklahoma manufacturing plant, and have an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022.

What is Recalled?

The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Midwestern Pet Foods, 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. 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
    • midwestern pet foods recall expanded 3 - 70 Dogs Have Died And 80 More Sick After Eating Pet Food With High Levels Of Aflatoxin, Recall Expanded
    Photo: Pixabay

    The expanded recall issued on January 11 includes over 1000 lots, so all are not listed individually.

    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

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

    The products were distributed nationwide. If you can’t find the expiration date, the FDA encourages people to stop feeding it.

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    Signs of Aflatoxin Posioning

    • sluggishness
    • loss of appetite
    • vomiting
    • jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage)
    • diarrhea
    midwestern pet foods recall expanded 4 - 70 Dogs Have Died And 80 More Sick After Eating Pet Food With High Levels Of Aflatoxin, Recall Expanded
    Photo: Pixabay

    If your pet has any of the above symptoms or eaten any of the recalled products, contact your vet immediately. Even if your dog is not showing symptoms, he could be experiencing liver damage due to the high levels of aflatoxins.

    “Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same food continuously over extended periods of time,” the FDA warns. “If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin could accumulate in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food.”

    What To Do

    Stop feeding the recalled product immediately and properly dispose of it. Then sanitize all food bowls, containers, scoops, etc. Pet owners can report illnesses to FDA electronically through their Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

    The FDA wrote, “This is an ongoing investigation. Case counts and the scope of this recall may expand as new information becomes available.”

    Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog