Fast Facts
The FDA is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about certain pet food products manufactured by Sunshine Mills under several brand names that may contain unsafe levels of aflatoxin. This is an expansion of a previously announced recall.
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in pets.
Pets experiencing aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea. In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some cases, pets may suffer liver damage but not show any symptoms.
Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed below and consult their veterinarian, especially if the pet is showing signs of illness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding a dog-food recall of certain products from multiple brands that may contain an unsafe level of a toxin called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a byproduct of a type of mold (Aspergillus flavus) that can grow on grains commonly used in pet food, according to the FDA. When pets consume too much aflatoxin, it can cause sickness and, in some severe cases, longterm liver issues and/or death.
A subsequent FDA investigation traced the products back to a single load of corn containing high levels of aflatoxin that was used as an ingredient in products manufactured from April 3 to April 5, 2020, and distributed to retailers nationwide. On October 8, Sunshine Mills expanded the dog-food recall to other products made with that load of corn, adding multiple lots of 21 additional products from 15 more brands (including two cat-food products).
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you own one of the recalled products, stop feeding it to your pet, throw it away, and consult a veterinarian—especially if your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning may include sluggishness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or gums).
However, it is also possible for pets to suffer liver damage from aflatoxin without showing any signs of illness, the FDA says, so you may want to consult a vet regardless of whether your pet is acting sick. The FDA also recommends sanitizing food bowls, scoops, and storage containers using bleach and water rinses.
What Products are Involved?
On September 2, 2020, Sunshine Mills announced a recall of 12 total lots from six of the firm’s pet food products. Shortly after, FDA determined that additional products made with the same corn may contain unsafe levels of aflatoxin.
On October 8, 2020, Sunshine Mills announced an expanded recall to include the additional products. As new information becomes available, this list may continue to expand.
The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Sunshine Mills on September 2 is:
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
On October 8, 2020, Sunshine Mills expanded the recall to include the following products:
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, 52 lb. 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
