What You Need to Know from the FDA

The FDA has recalled several batches of a popular pet food brand after at least 28 dogs died from suspected aflatoxin poisoning.

Here’s the information from the FDA:

The December 30, 2020 Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of certain batches of Sportmix pet food products after the FDA was notified of reports of at least 28 dogs who died and eight became ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food. Multiple product samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the fungus 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.

The FDA is issuing this advisory report to educate the public about the potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin in animal feed products that may still be on store shelves, online, or in the homes of pet owners.

FDA is conducting follow-up activities in the manufacturing facility.

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

Pets are very susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same foods continuously for extended periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxin, the toxin can build up in the pet’s body while it continues to eat the same food.

Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may develop symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tinge of 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 have liver damage without showing any symptoms. Pet owners whose pets have eaten the recalled products should contact their veterinarian, especially if they show signs of illness.

There is no evidence that pet owners handling products containing aflatoxin are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food.

On December 30, 2020, Midwest Pet Food, Inc. a recall of a total of nine batches of Sportmix animal feed products. The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the company to determine if any additional products have been made with the same ingredients that contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. As new information becomes available, this product list may be further expanded.

The list of recalled dry pet foods announced by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:

• Sport Mix 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, bag 44 lb Exp 03/02/22/05 / L3 Sportmix Premium High Energy, bag 50 lb 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
• Sport Mix 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 is displayed 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 affected pet food products. Contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages retailers to contact consumers who have purchased recalled products if they have the means to do so (such as through the customer’s card details or point of sale signs).

If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a vet immediately. Even pets without symptoms can have liver damage, so contact your vet if your dog ate any of the recalled products. Provide a complete nutritional history to your vet. It may be helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number.

Do not feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animal. Contact the company indicated on the package for further instructions or dispose of the products so that children, pets and animals cannot reach them. Clean food bowls, scoops and pet storage bowls with bleach, then rinse well with water and dry thoroughly.

There is no evidence that pet owners handling products containing aflatoxin are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food.

You can report a suspected illness electronically to the FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It is very helpful if you can work with your vet to submit your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that might be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.