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    Pet food recalled after at least 70 dogs die: FDA

    By Meredith Deliso,

    2021-01-12

    Several pet food products have been recalled after the death of at least 70 dogs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced .

    Three brands of Sportmix products for dogs and cats made by Midwestern Pet Foods may contain potentially fatal levels of the toxin aflatoxin, according to the FDA.

    The FDA said it is aware of at least 70 deaths and 80 illnesses in dogs that ate the recalled pet food, adding that the count is approximate and may not reflect the total number of pets affected.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Ipq1j_0YAToZUb00
    STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: A dog with a food bowl in an undated stock photo.

    The Missouri Department of Agriculture tested multiple samples of the food and found "very high levels" of aflatoxin, which is produced by a mold that can grow on corn and other grains used in pet food, the FDA said.

    MORE: Salmonella outbreaks in multiple states linked to pet hedgehogs, bearded dragons

    Midwestern Pet Foods has committed to recalling nine lots of Sportmix products, the FDA said. The FDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture are working to determine if any others need to be recalled.

    The lot code, which begins with the letters "Exp," is located on the back of the bag.

    FDA - PHOTO: The FDA has released an alert stating that this Sportmix Pet Food lot has been recalled for potentially fatal levels of Aflatoxin, Dec. 30, 2020.

    As of Dec. 30, the recalled products are:

    Sportmix Energy Plus

    50 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/02/22/05/L2

    Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

    44 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

    Sportmix Premium High Energy

    50 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

    44 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

    Sportmix Original Cat

    31 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

    15 lb. bag:

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

    Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

    On Monday, the manufacturer expanded the recall to include all pet food products containing corn that were made in the firm's Oklahoma plant that expire on or before July 9, 2022.

    The following pet food products have been recalled if the date and or lot code includes an expiration date of "07/09/22" and includes "05" in the date or lot code, which identifies products made in the Oklahoma plant:

    Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk

    40 lb. bag

    Pro Pac Performance Puppy

    40 lb. bag

    Splash Fat Cat 32%

    50 lb. bag

    Nunn Better Maintenance

    50 lb. bag

    Sportmix Maintenance

    44 lb. bag

    Sportmix Maintenance

    44 lb. bag

    50 lb. bag

    Sportmix High Protein

    50 lb. bag

    Sportmix Stamina

    44 lb. bag

    50 lb. bag

    Sportmix Bite Size

    40 lb. bag

    44 lb. bag

    Sportmix Premium Puppy

    16.5 lb. bag

    33 lb. bag

    The products were distributed to online retailers and stores nationwide, the FDA said.

    Pet owners who have the recalled products should contact the company for further instructions or throw the products out in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.

    Signs of aflatoxin poisoning include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice and diarrhea. There is no evidence that pet owners who handle the products are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning, the FDA said.

    If your pet has symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, contact a veterinarian immediately.

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    Jeremy Lacey
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