The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded a previously announced dog food recall that took place in September because products may have contained unsafe levels of aflatoxin, known to cause illness and death in pets.
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.
On October 8, Sunshine Mills expanded its recall to include additional products. The FDA is issuing this advisory to ensure the public is notified about all of these potentially unsafe products that may still be on the market or in pet owners’ homes.
Various Sunshine Mills’ dog food brands have been affected, including Champ, Field Trial, Good Dog, Hunter’s Special, Old Glory, Paws Happy Life, Pet Expert, Principle, Retriever, River Bend, and Sportsman’s Pride, among others. A full list can be found here.
Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, who eat a varied diet, 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.
Consumers who purchased one of the recalled products can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the announcement.
Pet owners with further questions or concerns can contact the company’s customer service line at (800) 705-2111 or email customer.service@sunshinemills.com.
See the complete list of recalled items below:
• Family Pet Meaty Cuts Beef, Chicken & Cheese Premium Dog Food (4 lb): UPC 3225120694 Lot Code TD3 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TD1 5/APRIL/2020
• Family Pet Meaty Cuts Beef, Chicken & Cheese Premium Dog Food (14 lb.): UPC 3225118078 Lot Code TB1 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB2 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB3 3/APRIL/2020
• Family Pet Meaty Cuts Beef, Chicken & Cheese Premium Dog Food (28 lb.): UPC 3225120694 Lot Code TB3 3/APRIL/2020
• Heartland Farms Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken & Cheese Flavor Dog Food (14 lb.): UPC 7015514299 Lot Code TB1 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB2 4/APRIL/2020
• Heartland Farms Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken & Cheese Flavor Dog Food (31 lb.): UPC 7015514301 Lot Code TA2 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA3 4/APRIL/2020
• Paws Happy Life Butcher’s Choice Dog Food (16 lb.): UPC 3680035763 Lot Code TA1 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA2 4/APRIL/2020
• Champ Mini Chunk Dog Food Beef and Chicken Flavor (12-lb. bags): UPC 7328315416 Lot Code TC2 3/APRIL/2020
• Field Trial Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food (16-lb. bags): UPC 7015514530 Lot Code TC2 4/APRIL/2020
• Good Dog Brand Dog Food Hi-Energy Formula (50-lb. bags): UPC 5216624165 Lot Code TA1 5/APRIL/2020
• Hunter’s Special Dog Food Hi Energy Formula (50-lb. bags): UPC 7015510145 Lot Code TA1 5/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA2 5/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA3 5/APRIL/2020
• Hunter’s Special Dog Food Maintenance Formula (50-lb. bags): UPC 7015510135 Lot Code TB3 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB1 5/APRIL/2020
• Hunter’s Special Farm & Ranch Recipe Super Chunks Dog Food (50-lb. bags): UPC 70155 10182 Lot Code TC2 5/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC3 5/APRIL/2020
• Old Glory Hearty Beef & Chicken Flavor Dog Food (4-lb. bags): UPC 7015514339 Lot Code TE3 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TE2 4/APRIL/2020
• Old Glory Hearty Beef & Chicken Flavor Dog Food (12.75-lb. bags): UPC 7015514298 Lot Code TA3 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB1 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC1 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC2 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC3 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA1 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC1 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA2 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TB2 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC2 4/APRIL/2020
• Paws Happy Life Nutritionally Complete Dog Food (17-lb. bags) UPC 3680042561 Lot Code TC2 4/APRIL/2020
• Pet Expert Always Fit Formula (50-lb. bags): UPC 5208887976 Lot Code TC2 5/APRIL/2020
• Principle Super Premium Natural Dog Food Breeder Pack (40-lb. bags): UPC 580179 586032 Lot Code TA3 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA1 5/APRIL/2020
• Retriever Bites & Bones Adult Complete Nutrition Savory Chicken Flavor (52lb. bags): UPC 4939422642 Lot Code TC3 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TC1 5/APRIL/2020
• River Bend Dog Food Basic Nutrition (40-lb. bags): No UPC Lot Code TC1 5/APRIL/2020
• River Bend Dog Food Basic Nutrition (50-lb. bags): No UPC Lot Code TC1 5/APRIL/2020
• River Bend Dog Food Select (50-lb. bags): No UPC Lot Code TB3 4/APRIL/2020
• Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food (20-lb. bags): UPC 7015510082 Lot Code TB1 5/APRIL/2020
• Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food (50-lb. bags): UPC 7015510110 Lot Code TB1 5/APRIL/2020
• Sprout Bites & Bones (50-lb. bags): UPC 7015505091 Lot Code TC2 4/APRIL/2020
• Sprout Hi-Protein (cat food) (20-lb. bags): UPC 70155505120 Lot Code TI2 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TI3 4/APRIL/2020
• Sprout Hi-Protein (cat food) (40-lb. bags): UPC 7015505119 Lot Code TI3 4/APRIL/2020
• Thrifty Adult Dog Food (12 lb. bags): UPC 7015513096 Lot Code TI1 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TI2 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TI3 3/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA2 4/APRIL/2020
• Sprout Maintenance (40-lb. bags): UPC 7015505096 Lot Code TB1 5/APRIL/2020
• Sprout Puppy (20-lb. bags): UPC 7015505095 Lot Code TA3 4/APRIL/2020 Lot Code TA1 5/APRIL/2020
• Top Runner Premium Dog Food (50-lb. bags): UPC 3540650070 Lot Code TB1 3/APRIL/2020
• Whiskers & Tails Adult Recipe Complete Dog Food (17-lb. bags): UPC 2114003022 Lot Code TC2 4/APRIL/2020