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Recalled Pet Food: Aflatoxin

Must Read: Aflatoxin Pet Food Recalls

The recall of SportMix dog and cat foods may impact you even if you’re not feeding the food being recalled.

UPDATE: JANUARY 25, 2021

The FDA released an update which indicated the recall has expanded internationally. Further, based on the number of reported deaths and illnesses as of this date this is likely the largest documented aflatoxin recall within the pet industry.

UPDATE: JANUARY 11, 2021

The FDA released an update on the original recall announcement adding over 1,000 lots of pet food manufactured by Midwestern pet. Affected foods were made in their Oklahoma facility. More than seventy deaths have been reported with an additional 80+ pets ill.

This recall indicates there are some clear quality control issues within Midwestern Pet’s manufacturing operations. As foreshadowed in the original article below, it likely meant that they were not inbound testing their ingredients for safety and adequacy. Midwestern was likely not outbound testing their final product for safety and nutritional adequacy either. The recall expansion supports this and we can expect the number of reports of ill pets to increase, as well as further expansion of this recall.

 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: JANUARY 1, 2021

Recently a recall of SportMix dog and cat foods due to ‘potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin’ was announced by the FDA & Midwestern Pet Foods. SportMix is manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods who also makes well-known brands Earthborn, ProPac, Venture, Wholesomes, CanineX and most recently their ancient grain food Unrefined. The first FDA update indicated 28 dogs reported dead, and at least 8 more ill, with 70+ ill and 80+ dead as of the second announcement. It’s likely the FDA announcements will result in more reported cases.

If you are feeding SportMix, you can check the most recent FDA announcement for lot and date codes to see if your food has been recalled. If your pet is ill, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away. You can learn more about filing a Pet Food Complaint with the FDA here: Report A Complaint.

The recall was prompted when the Missouri Department of Agriculture tested multiple SportMix products which contained very high levels of aflatoxin. Currently, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the FDA are investigating the incident to determine how and why the foods contained such high levels of aflatoxin.

 

What Is Aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is produced by a mold Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin is dangerous at high levels, although low levels exist in common foods we and pets eat. These foods include nuts and grains (including ancient grains!) such as peanuts, and corn. In pet food, the most common culprit is corn, however numerous recalls have been announced over the years for a variety of human and pet products.

The FDA states that pets are more at risk of aflatoxin poisoning because they do not eat a varied diet like humans do. In other words, the cumulative effect of eating food with already high levels of aflatoxin makes the situation worse.

 

What symptoms should I look for?

The FDA States:

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.

 

Why this recall should concern you:

Aflatoxin at dangerously high levels in pet food is preventable from a manufacturing standpoint. If a manufacturer is testing their inbound ingredients and outbound testing their final product, dangerously high levels of aflatoxin should never make it to the marketplace. The fact that it has been found in 9 different lots of pet food is concerning and raises several questions:

  • Was Midwestern inbound testing their raw ingredients to ensure that they were safe? In this case, it is likely that the ingredient containing the aflatoxin was corn.
    • Note: The past year there were agricultural reports indicating high levels of aflatoxin in some crops, meaning that if Midwestern was purchasing from these regions they should have been testing for aflatoxin, and other contaminants more frequently.
  • Was Midwestern outbound testing their final products to ensure that they were safe and nutritionally adequate?
  • What types of quality control does Midwestern have in place to prevent problems like this from occurring?
  • What steps does Midwestern take to clean machinery and storage containers in an effort to prevent cross contamination to other products made in the same facility?
  • What other products were made in this facility during and after the recalled product was made?
  • Does Midwestern hold a sample of each lot of food produced so that it may be tested if issues arise such as this?

 

Another Lesson?

The recall of SportMix dog and cat foods is another lesson to both retailers and pet owners that it is important to ask questions of the brand of food you feed your pets. You can learn more about those questions here. I am well aware of many who think that I’m being unreasonable when asking the questions I ask, or pushing for changes in regard to food safety and nutrition adequacy testing – but the reason why I do it is because things like this are PREVENTABLE. Sure, implementing nutritional adequacy testing is inconvienent if you’re a manufacturer – but it’s worse when pets get sick or die because you didn’t implement that testing.  As a retailer it’s inconvenient to have to constantly reach out to pet food companies – but it’s worse when a pet experiences a problem because I didn’t do my homework. It’s clear that many companies do not check all the boxes, but I can do my best to support companies that are doing their best to improve. I can also educate my clients and customers on who does and does not have certain safety/nutritional adequacy measures in place. I can also tell them who refuses to answer questions!

Simply said, knowing what quality control measures a manufacturer has or does not have can make a world of difference. While we don’t know if this recall will be expanded to other lots, or even brands – it is not out of the realm of possibility. For example, if Midwestern truly did have one batch of a contaminated ingredient such as corn, and does have proper quality control measures in place (e.g. proper cleaning of machinery and storage containers to prevent cross contamination) then other products may not be affected. If they do not have adequate measures in place (or failed to follow them) it is possible other products will be affected.

In either case, the question still remains: how did the contaminated food end up in the marketplace to begin with? Was it because they were not inbound testing raw ingredients, or outbound testing the final product or both?  We’ll have to wait and see.[vc_single_image image=”4225″ img_size=”large”]Original Recalled Products: Date accessed: 11 January 2021 https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin[vc_single_image image=”4226″ img_size=”large”]Second Recall (January 11, 2021) Date accessed: 11 January 2021 https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin[vc_single_image image=”4227″ img_size=”large”]Date code example: Date accessed 11 January 2021 https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxinAbout the Author

Nicole is the founder & owner of award winning NorthPoint Pets & Company, in Connecticut. She is also the Founder & CEO of Undogmatic Inc. Her undergraduate and graduate education includes biology, chemistry, business and nutrition. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry on multiple R&D projects and has had the privilege to learn from leading international figures in the human and pet health industry. She regularly lectures at national conferences, including federal, state, and municipal K9 events. Her current research involves identifying pathogenic risk factors and transmission among raw fed pets through a comprehensive worldwide survey.

www.northpointpets.com

 

www.undogmaticinc.com

Essential Tips for Emergency Preparedness and Pet Food

In Connecticut, we experienced the impact of a tropical storm in 2020 that left many without power for days. This highlights the importance of emergency preparedness, particularly when it comes to pet food and supplies. In this guide, we’ll provide valuable advice and practical solutions to ensure you’re well-equipped for any future power outages. Discover the best practices recommended by our team.

Best Practices for Emergency Preparednessdogs waiting for food, emergency preparedness

Ensure Access to Clean Water: Having clean and safe water readily available for both you and your pets is crucial during emergencies. Dehydration and heat-related concerns can pose serious risks, especially in the summertime. Remember to rotate your emergency water supply every 6-12 months to maintain freshness.

Create a First Aid Kit: Prepare a comprehensive first aid kit that includes essential items such as emergency bandages, medicines, and antibiotic ointment. Additionally, include specific items for your pets like nail clippers, extra gauze, veterinary wrap tape, and styptic powder. Ensure you regularly check and replace supplies every 6 months to avoid expired products.

Medications & Calming Aids: Consider including calming aids, such as CBD products, in your emergency kit, along with any necessary prescription medications for you and your pets. Explore options like those offered by Super Snouts to provide extra comfort during stressful situations.

Leash, Collar & ID Tag: Always keep spare leashes, collars, and ID tags handy. You never know when you might need an extra one, especially during emergencies.

Poop Bags: Pack an ample supply of poop bags to ensure easy and sanitary clean-up and disposal, even during challenging circumstances.

Pest Control: Include pet-friendly pest control solutions like Wondercide to keep pests at bay, safeguarding both you and your pets during emergencies.

Blankets and Towels: Don’t forget to include blankets and towels in your emergency preparedness kit. These versatile items are essential for both you and your pets in various situations.

Emergency Food Options: While it’s advisable to include a small bag of your pet’s kibble in your emergency kit, it may not always be feasible, especially for raw or fresh food feeders. Explore alternative options such as:

  • Canned & Wet Foods:
    • Pros: Shelf-stable, sturdy packaging, cost-effective.
    • Cons: Heavy, bulky, potentially expensive, may cause digestive upset. Recommended Brands: KOHA, Petcurean, Instinct.
  • Freeze Dried Foods: Freeze-dried foods offer a seamless transition regardless of whether you feed kibble, raw, or anything in between. They are lightweight, require minimal space, and offer nutrient-dense options.
    • Pros: Lightweight, space-efficient, nutrient-dense, sturdy packaging, easy to switch, suitable for picky eaters and sensitivities. Read more here!
    • Cons: Potentially higher cost in some cases. Recommended Brands: Northwest Naturals, SmallBatch, (or Feline Natural for the kitties!)
      • For raw feeders, freeze-dried food is an ideal choice for emergency preparedness. It is a realistic, cost-effective, and nutrient-dense option that can be used as treats, emergency meals, or when you forget to thaw or purchase food from the store. The chances of digestive upset are minimal, even when transitioning abruptly from kibble or raw diets.
      • By incorporating freeze-dried food into your pet’s regular diet or using it as treats, you can provide affordable and enjoyable options for your pets. During the recent power outage, we successfully relied on these products in our weekly rotations.

Conclusion

Preparing for emergencies requires careful planning, especially when it comes to pet food and supplies. By following these essential tips, you’ll be well-prepared for any emergency that you may be faced with. 

Looking for more? Check out our boredom-buster ideas here: Keeping Your Pets Entertained