Dog + Cat Food Recall Due To Toxin Levels

A brand of dog and cat food is being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer due to concerns about high levels of Aflatoxin.  Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. is recalling a variety of their dog and cat foods sold under the Sportmix brand name.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, the concern is with the levels of Aflatoxin contained in the product.  Testing has indicated that the levels of Aflatoxin "exceed acceptable limits".  Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus - which can grow on corn and other grains that are used as ingredients in pet foods.  At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in pets.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has shared that there have been reports of illness and death associated with dogs; at the present time, there have been no reports of illness or death associated with cats or humans.

Symptoms of aflatoxin to watch for in dogs and cats include the following:

• Sluggishness
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Diarrhea

If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, you're urged to seek the help of a veterinarian immediately.  Provide a full diet history to help them in their diagnosis.

To identify if you have any of the recalled Sportmix dog or cat food, look for the lot code information - which is found on the back of the bag in a three-line code with the top line in format "EXP 03/03/22/05/L##/B###/HH:MM" as follows:

• 50# Sportmix Energy Plus Lots Exp 03/02/22/05/L2, 03/02/22/05/L3, 03/03/22/05/L2
• 44# Sportmix Energy Plus Lots 03/02/22/05/L3
• 50# Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 44# Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 31# Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 15# Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L2, 03/03/22/05/L3

If you believe you have any of the products in question, don't feed them to your pets or any other animals.  Destroy the Products.  Wash and sanitize pet food bowls. cups, and storage containers.  Contact Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs at 800-474-4163, extension 455.