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Sportmix Recall
- Thread starter Panama
- Start date
strykerdobe
Hot Topics Subscriber
Deadly Dog and Cat Food Recall Expands!!!!!!
FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin | FDA
What are Aflatoxin's and what they do?
Aflatoxin Poisoning in Pets | FDA
Aflatoxin Poisoning in Pets
Content current as of:
01/08/2021
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus that can grow on pet food ingredients such as corn, peanuts, and other grains. At high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness (aflatoxicosis), liver damage, and death in pets. The toxins can be present even if there is no visible mold on the pet food.
On this page:
Causes
Signs of Illness
Diagnosis
Treatment
For Pet Owners
For Veterinarians
Recent Pet Food Product Recalls for Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxins
Additional Resources
Causes
Pets that eat food containing unsafe levels of aflatoxins can develop aflatoxin poisoning. 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 aflatoxins, the toxins could accumulate in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food. Aflatoxin poisoning can also occur if a pet eats moldy corn, grains, peanuts, or other aflatoxin contaminated food.
Signs of Illness
Pets suffering from aflatoxin poisoning may experience signs such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea. In some cases, aflatoxins can affect blood clotting and cause long-term liver problems and/or death. Some pets may suffer liver damage without showing any signs in the early stages of aflatoxin poisoning and if they continue eating contaminated food, they may die suddenly. Pet owners who suspect their pets have been eating products contaminated with aflatoxins should contact their veterinarians and immediately stop feeding the suspected food, especially if the pets are showing signs of illness.
If you suspect your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning, take him/her to a veterinarian immediately.
Diagnosis
Only a veterinarian can diagnose aflatoxin poisoning. Usually, the veterinarian evaluates the pet’s signs, asks about what food the pet has been eating and what the pet might have been exposed to, and they might run some tests to check a pet’s liver health. Because the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning are nonspecific and could point to multiple toxins, a veterinarian may recommend having pet food samples analyzed to determine if aflatoxins are present. For deceased pets, tissue samples can be analyzed for aflatoxins and other toxins. Depending on the results of a veterinarian’s examination, they will determine the best course of action.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on a veterinarian’s assessment of each case. There is no antidote for aflatoxins, so the aim of treatment is usually to remove the source of aflatoxins to prevent additional exposure (e.g., stop the feeding of contaminated pet food), to provide supportive care management of the specific blood and biochemical imbalances in the pet’s system. Extremely severe or rapid-onset cases of aflatoxin poisoning may progress so quickly that the pet dies before receiving any treatment. Pets exposed to non-lethal doses of aflatoxin may survive, but can have long-term health problems, such as liver injury.
For Pet Owners
There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxins are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food and treats.
If your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea, contact a veterinarian immediately. If your pet passes away prior to seeing a veterinarian and you suspect possible aflatoxin exposure, contact your veterinarian to discuss whether an autopsy (necropsy) may be appropriate to determine the cause of death.
Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian, including what food or pet treats, you (or other household members) give the pet, and what other food or items the pet might have been exposed to. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number and best-by date. If your veterinarian suspects the food is the source of aflatoxins, having the lot code and best-by date helps FDA identify exactly when the contamination occurred and what other products might also be affected. This can help prevent other pets from getting sick. Don’t feed the products to your pets or any other animals.
Pet owners can report suspected illness to FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you work with your veterinarian to submit a pet’s medical records as part of the report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
It’s also helpful if you save the food in its original package, in case it’s needed for testing. If testing is not needed, contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or throw the products away in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.
If your pet is otherwise healthy, but you are still concerned about potential aflatoxin contamination in your pet’s food, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet, especially if your pet has other health conditions that require a specialized or restricted or diet.
For Veterinarians
In any pets presenting with signs of acute liver failure suspected to be linked to a toxin, veterinarians should consider aflatoxin poisoning as one of the possible causes. Ruling out other causes can provide additional support for a diagnosis of aflatoxicosis. If a patient you are treating for suspected aflatoxicosis dies or is euthanized, a necropsy may be useful in identifying pathologic changes consistent with hepatotoxicity.
FDA encourages veterinarians treating suspected aflatoxicosis to ask clients for a detailed diet history. If you suspect that the pet food is the source of the aflatoxins, we welcome case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. Please ask the owner not to feed the product to their pet or any other animals and to store the leftover food in its original packaging in a safe place. Product photos, purchase receipts and lot information are vital information to include in case reports to FDA.
Reports to FDA can be submitted through the online Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For submissions through the Safety Reporting Portal, when asked “Who are you?” please select, “A private citizen/business submitting a voluntary report,” on the selection screen in order to guide you through a veterinary submission. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
In select cases, a representative from FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) may contact you about your report. Vet-LIRN may request medical records or permission to contact the owner for a dietary history and environmental exposure interview. If you have saved any diagnostic samples (e.g. tissue biopsy, whole body for necropsy, or leftover food), Vet-LIRN may request and pay for any tests requested.
Recent Pet Food Product Recalls for Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxins
In December 2020, FDA notified the public about potentially fatal levels of aflatoxins in multiple recalled varieties of Sportmix pet food manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. As of December 30, 2020, FDA is aware of at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses in dogs that ate the recalled product. FDA has not confirmed any cat deaths or illnesses, but some of the recalled pet food is made for cats.
Previously, in September 2020, Sunshine Mills announced a recall of certain pet food products after a retail product sample was found to contain an unsafe level of aflatoxins. Shortly after, FDA determined that additional products made with the same corn may contain unsafe levels of aflatoxins and in October, Sunshine Mills expanded its recall to include additional products. FDA also issued an advisory to ensure the public was notified about all of the potentially unsafe products that may still be on the market or in pet owners’ homes.
FDA is continuing to investigate how these incidents occurred and if any expansion of currently identified products or other foods should be recalled. FDA will issue public updates with any additional recall information as it becomes available.
Additional Resources
FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin | FDA
What are Aflatoxin's and what they do?
Aflatoxin Poisoning in Pets | FDA
Aflatoxin Poisoning in Pets
Content current as of:
01/08/2021
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus that can grow on pet food ingredients such as corn, peanuts, and other grains. At high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness (aflatoxicosis), liver damage, and death in pets. The toxins can be present even if there is no visible mold on the pet food.
On this page:
Causes
Signs of Illness
Diagnosis
Treatment
For Pet Owners
For Veterinarians
Recent Pet Food Product Recalls for Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxins
Additional Resources
Causes
Pets that eat food containing unsafe levels of aflatoxins can develop aflatoxin poisoning. 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 aflatoxins, the toxins could accumulate in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food. Aflatoxin poisoning can also occur if a pet eats moldy corn, grains, peanuts, or other aflatoxin contaminated food.
Signs of Illness
Pets suffering from aflatoxin poisoning may experience signs such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea. In some cases, aflatoxins can affect blood clotting and cause long-term liver problems and/or death. Some pets may suffer liver damage without showing any signs in the early stages of aflatoxin poisoning and if they continue eating contaminated food, they may die suddenly. Pet owners who suspect their pets have been eating products contaminated with aflatoxins should contact their veterinarians and immediately stop feeding the suspected food, especially if the pets are showing signs of illness.
If you suspect your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning, take him/her to a veterinarian immediately.
Diagnosis
Only a veterinarian can diagnose aflatoxin poisoning. Usually, the veterinarian evaluates the pet’s signs, asks about what food the pet has been eating and what the pet might have been exposed to, and they might run some tests to check a pet’s liver health. Because the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning are nonspecific and could point to multiple toxins, a veterinarian may recommend having pet food samples analyzed to determine if aflatoxins are present. For deceased pets, tissue samples can be analyzed for aflatoxins and other toxins. Depending on the results of a veterinarian’s examination, they will determine the best course of action.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on a veterinarian’s assessment of each case. There is no antidote for aflatoxins, so the aim of treatment is usually to remove the source of aflatoxins to prevent additional exposure (e.g., stop the feeding of contaminated pet food), to provide supportive care management of the specific blood and biochemical imbalances in the pet’s system. Extremely severe or rapid-onset cases of aflatoxin poisoning may progress so quickly that the pet dies before receiving any treatment. Pets exposed to non-lethal doses of aflatoxin may survive, but can have long-term health problems, such as liver injury.
For Pet Owners
There is no evidence to suggest that pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxins are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food and treats.
If your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea, contact a veterinarian immediately. If your pet passes away prior to seeing a veterinarian and you suspect possible aflatoxin exposure, contact your veterinarian to discuss whether an autopsy (necropsy) may be appropriate to determine the cause of death.
Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian, including what food or pet treats, you (or other household members) give the pet, and what other food or items the pet might have been exposed to. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number and best-by date. If your veterinarian suspects the food is the source of aflatoxins, having the lot code and best-by date helps FDA identify exactly when the contamination occurred and what other products might also be affected. This can help prevent other pets from getting sick. Don’t feed the products to your pets or any other animals.
Pet owners can report suspected illness to FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you work with your veterinarian to submit a pet’s medical records as part of the report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
It’s also helpful if you save the food in its original package, in case it’s needed for testing. If testing is not needed, contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or throw the products away in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.
If your pet is otherwise healthy, but you are still concerned about potential aflatoxin contamination in your pet’s food, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before making changes to your pet’s diet, especially if your pet has other health conditions that require a specialized or restricted or diet.
For Veterinarians
In any pets presenting with signs of acute liver failure suspected to be linked to a toxin, veterinarians should consider aflatoxin poisoning as one of the possible causes. Ruling out other causes can provide additional support for a diagnosis of aflatoxicosis. If a patient you are treating for suspected aflatoxicosis dies or is euthanized, a necropsy may be useful in identifying pathologic changes consistent with hepatotoxicity.
FDA encourages veterinarians treating suspected aflatoxicosis to ask clients for a detailed diet history. If you suspect that the pet food is the source of the aflatoxins, we welcome case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. Please ask the owner not to feed the product to their pet or any other animals and to store the leftover food in its original packaging in a safe place. Product photos, purchase receipts and lot information are vital information to include in case reports to FDA.
Reports to FDA can be submitted through the online Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For submissions through the Safety Reporting Portal, when asked “Who are you?” please select, “A private citizen/business submitting a voluntary report,” on the selection screen in order to guide you through a veterinary submission. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to FDA, see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
In select cases, a representative from FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) may contact you about your report. Vet-LIRN may request medical records or permission to contact the owner for a dietary history and environmental exposure interview. If you have saved any diagnostic samples (e.g. tissue biopsy, whole body for necropsy, or leftover food), Vet-LIRN may request and pay for any tests requested.
Recent Pet Food Product Recalls for Unsafe Levels of Aflatoxins
In December 2020, FDA notified the public about potentially fatal levels of aflatoxins in multiple recalled varieties of Sportmix pet food manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. As of December 30, 2020, FDA is aware of at least 28 deaths and 8 illnesses in dogs that ate the recalled product. FDA has not confirmed any cat deaths or illnesses, but some of the recalled pet food is made for cats.
Previously, in September 2020, Sunshine Mills announced a recall of certain pet food products after a retail product sample was found to contain an unsafe level of aflatoxins. Shortly after, FDA determined that additional products made with the same corn may contain unsafe levels of aflatoxins and in October, Sunshine Mills expanded its recall to include additional products. FDA also issued an advisory to ensure the public was notified about all of the potentially unsafe products that may still be on the market or in pet owners’ homes.
FDA is continuing to investigate how these incidents occurred and if any expansion of currently identified products or other foods should be recalled. FDA will issue public updates with any additional recall information as it becomes available.
Additional Resources
- FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin (Midwestern Pet Foods, 12/30/20)
- FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Pet Food from Multiple Brands Recalled for Aflatoxin (Sunshine Mills, 10/9/20)
- Save Your Pet Food Lot Number!
- How to Report a Pet Food Complaint
- Pet Food Safety Reporting Frequently Asked Questions
strykerdobe
Hot Topics Subscriber
UPDATED Jan. 25th, 2021
FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin | FDA
So far the FDA is aware of more than 110 pets that have died and more than 210 pets that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food.
And expanding recall to other countries!
FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin | FDA
So far the FDA is aware of more than 110 pets that have died and more than 210 pets that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food.
And expanding recall to other countries!
strykerdobe
Hot Topics Subscriber
What FDA Didn’t Tell Pet Owners About The Midwestern Pet Food Recall
Why did FDA neglect to tell pet owners the truth?
What FDA Didn’t Tell Pet Owners About the Midwestern Pet Food Recall
Why did FDA neglect to tell pet owners the truth?
truthaboutpetfood.com
Susan Thixton
Published
2 days ago
The FDA told pet owners the recalled dog food contained aflatoxin, lab results show the dog foods were a toxic soup of multiple mycotoxins. Why did FDA neglect to tell pet owners the truth?
On December 30, 2020 the FDA issued an alert; “Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin.” The FDA alert DID NOT mention any other mycotoxin in the pet foods – only aflatoxin.
Freedom of Information Act acquired documents tell a very different story. Lab results provided by Missouri Department of Agriculture confirms the Midwestern Pet Food contained five different mycotoxins at concerning levels.
This dog food contained Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Fumonisin B1, Fumonisin B2, and Ochratoxin A.
Both types of Aflatoxins were above the FDA allowed limit of 20 parts per billion (ppb).
The Fumonisin B1 and B2 were below FDA’s allowed limit of 5,000 ppb – but science has shown that the combination of fumonisin and aflatoxin magnifies the cancer risk and liver damage caused to animals.
And FDA has not established a maximum for Ochratoxin A in pet food – however the lab results stated “Ochratoxin A is recognized as being nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, and a possible carcinogen. The European Union has set a guidance value in mg/kg of Ochratoxin A in compound feed for cats and dogs at 0,01 or 10 μg/kg (ppb).” In other words, European pet foods have restrictions of 10 ppb ochratoxin – this pet food tested double that at 24 ppb and 21 ppb with no mention from FDA.
Why didn’t FDA explain to pet owners that the Midwestern Pet Foods tested positive for multiple mycotoxins that certainly increased the risk?
Is it possible that FDA only informed pet owners of one mycotoxin (aflatoxin) in Midwestern Pet Foods because they didn’t want pet owners to be informed that grains come with the risk of multiple mycotoxins?
Don’t pet owners deserve to know the complete details of testing of a recalled pet food?
Or did FDA neglect to tell pet owners Midwestern Pet Food contained concerning levels of multiple mycotoxins because the agency hasn’t bothered to establish limits for multiple mycotoxins? Pointing that out in this pet food might cause consumers to question FDA lack of regulatory action.
There is significant research FDA should consult regarding the increased health risks of multiple mycotoxins in a pet food/animal feed. The agency should certainly establish maximum limits when multiple mycotoxins are present.
With corn being the most commonly used pet food ingredient, and all of the following mycotoxins can be present in corn: Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, Citrinin, Cyclopiazonic acid, Penicillic acid, Deoxynivalenol (DON or vomitoxin), Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, and Trichothecenes – to protect pets there is a clear need for the FDA to establish regulatory limits of multiple mycotoxins in pet food.
To view the lab results of Midwestern Pet Food, Click Here.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
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