On December 31, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory was alerted to a pet food recall due to high levels of aflatoxin. The pet food manufacturer, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc., issued a voluntary recall for nine lots of Sportmix pet food products, including both dog and cat food.
On January 11, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. expanded the recall to include all pet food products containing corn that were made in the firm’s Oklahoma plant and that expire on or before July 9, 2022.
Over 1,000 lot codes are affected. View the FDA alert for more information on the specific products involved in this recall and resources for veterinarians and affected pet owners.
What is aflatoxin and what are the clinical signs of aflatoxin poisoning?
Aflatoxin is produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus. In certain conditions, this mold grows on corn and other grains used to make pet food.
Clinical signs of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs include lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea with or without blood, coagulopathy, and in some cases death without noted preceding clinical abnormalities. Feline clinical signs include lethargy, inappetence, and progressive weight loss.
Resources for affected pet owners
TVMDL encourages pet owners to contact their veterinarian if they suspect an animal has been affected by any of the recalled products.
Should diagnostic testing be required, TVMDL offers expertise and assays to detect aflatoxins. Learn more about TVMDL’s test offerings by visiting tvmdl.tamu.edu or by calling the College Station laboratory at 1.888.646.5623.