A recall has been issued for Sportmix pet food products after they have been linked to multiple dog deaths.
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking into these products, which have been manufactured by Midwestern Pet Food Inc., that could contain fatal levels of aflatoxin.
The mold Aspergillus flavus produces these aflatoxins and can grow on various pet food ingredients. Once ingested, the toxins can accumulate in the pet’s body, making dogs and cats at an increased risk due to them often eating the same food every day.
The products included in the recall are Sportmix Energy Plus, Sportmix Premium High Energy, and Sportmix Original Cat with multiple lots and product weights included.
Reports submitted to the FDA indicated the death of over 70 pets after eating the Sportmix products as of January 11. On the same day, the product maker Midwestern Pet Foods expanded the recall to include all products that met these criteria:
- Contain corn
- Manufactured in Oklahoma
- The expiration date on or before July 9, 2022
Pets will exhibit these symptoms as a result of aflatoxin poisoning:
- sluggishness
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- jaundice, a yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage
- diarrhea
Officials have stated that, in severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal and or cause liver damage.
More details of this recall from ‘AWM’:
Fortunately, pet owners are not at risk of the toxin from handling the food alone. However, experts did suggest that pet owners should start washing their hands after handling pet food just in case future batches include some other type of dangerous toxin.
The jury is still out as to whether Sportmix needs to recall more types of pet food. The list of foods affected in this incident could grow if the FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture identify more problematic foods that could cause harm to pets.
Some pet owners have turned to social media to launch a discussion as to whether this pet food led to their animal’s sudden death.
“I was getting my dog this dog food, and she passes away,” wrote one Facebook user.
Another said that her Rottweiler “passed away three weeks ago just out of nowhere. He was a very healthy dog.”
In Daily Mail, more than one hundred people launched a discussion to talk about the toxic dog food.
“This happened with Purina Beneful at one time as well. They paid on a class action suit and tried to keep it as hush as possible. Really sad because it isn’t something you should have to worry about, but it happens too often not to.”
One user suggested making dog food from scratch at home to avoid these problems.
“It’s really easy to make your own dog food and very much worth it. My dog lived until he was 19.”
Source: AWM
