Sportmix dry dog/cat foods recalled due to 28 death/8 illnesses from mold toxin
December 30, 2020 - The FDA is alerting consumers that Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. is recalling nine lots of Sportmix pet food products because they contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin: www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
The FDA is aware of at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses in dogs that ate the recalled products. As this is an ongoing investigation, case counts and the scope of this pending recall may expand, as new information becomes available.
What’s Recalled?
The dry pet food products to be recalled by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. on December 30, 2020 include:
•Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag - Exp 03/02/22/05/L2
•Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag - Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
•Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag - 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
•Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag - Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
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.”
As new information becomes available, the product list above may continue to expand. The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the firm to determine whether any additional products may have been made with the same ingredients containing potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin.
About Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, and at high levels it can cause illness and death in pets. The toxin can be present even if there is no visible mold.
Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, because their died is more varied, pets generally eat the same food continuously over extended periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin could accumulate in the pet’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 to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea. In some cases, this toxicity can cause long-term liver issues and/or death. Some pets suffer liver damage without showing any symptoms.
Pet owners whose pets have been eating the recalled products should contact their veterinarians, especially if they are showing 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 pet food.
What to Do?
Affected products may still be on store shelves, online, or in pet owners’ homes. Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed above and consult their veterinarian, especially if the pet is showing signs of illness. The pet owner should remove the food and make sure no other animals have access to the recalled product.
Further information regarding this recall can be found in this FDA Bulletin: www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area, which can be found here: www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda/consumer-complaint-coordinators. Or go to the FDA’s “Report a Pet Food Complaint”page: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint.
Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form here: www.canada.ca/en/services/health/report-health-safety-concern.html.