High Levels of Aflatoxin Prompt Sportmix Pet Food Recall

UPDATE: The Sportmix pet food recall has been expanded to include all pet food that contains corn, was manufactured in Midwestern Pet Foods Inc.’s Oklahoma plant and has an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022. The recall was expanded following the deaths of at least 70 dogs and illness in 80 others.

Midwestern Pet Foods has issued a voluntary pet food recall of its Sportmix pet foods due to the presence of high levels of aflatoxin, which could pose a health risk.

The Evansville, Indiana-based company recalled varieties of its Sportmix dog and cat foods due to testing that indicated the amount of aflatoxin in the products was in excess of the acceptable limits, according to an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice about the pet food recall.

Aflatoxin is produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which grows on grains such as corn that are used in pet foods. High levels of aflatoxin can cause pets to become ill or die.

The products, which are distributed nationwide, are sold to both online distributors as well as retail stores.

The lot code information for the affected products is on the back of bag and appears in a three-line code, with the top line’s format being “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM.”

The following Sportmix products are affected by the pet food recall:

• 50 lb. Sportmix Energy Plus Lots Exp 03/02/22/05/L2, 03/02/22/05/L3, 03/03/22/05/L2
• 44 lb. Sportmix Energy Plus Lots 03/02/22/05/L3
• 50 lb. Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 44 lb. Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 31 lb. Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
• 15 lb. Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L2, 03/03/22/05/L3

Consumers are advised not to feed the recalled pet foods to their own pets or to other animals.

According to the FDA, the products should be destroyed in such a way that children, pets, and wildlife are not able to access them.

Bowls, cups and storage containers that have come in contact with the products affected by the pet food recall should be washed and sanitized.

The FDA advises retailers and distributors to pull the recalled lots from shelves and not to sell or donate the products involved in the pet food recall.

Retailers also are encouraged to reach out to consumers who bought the products if they have the information available to do so.

The FDA is aware of reports of dogs’ illnesses and deaths associated with the Sportmix products involved in the pet food recall; no deaths or illnesses have been reported in cats or humans.

According to a New York Times report, 28 dogs have died and eight others have become ill after possibly ingesting fatal levels of Aflatoxin.

“Although this pet food recall is still unfolding, we are sharing the facts we have so far because the levels of aflatoxin found in the recalled pet food are potentially fatal,” Dr. Amber McCoig said in a statement, according to NBC News. McCoig is the deputy director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine Division of Compliance deputy director.

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in pets include sluggishness, loss of appetite, jaundice, vomiting and/or diarrhea, according to the FDA.

Consumers who notice these symptoms in their pets should contact their veterinarian immediately.

For questions related to this pet food recall, contact Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs at 800-474-4163, extension 455, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday, or via email at info@midwesternpetfoods.com.

Have you purchased any of the products affected by this pet food recall? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.

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