IAMS Puppy Food recalled for violating Aflatoxin levels

Iams.com

Aflatoxin is a mold that grows in tree nuts and seeds like peanuts & peanut butter, pecans, corn, wheat and cotton-seed oil.  Aflatoxins are considered by the FDA to be “unavoidable contaminants”, but because they can cause cancer in animals, the leading U.S. food safety authority allows aflatoxins in pet food only in very low amounts.

Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) just announced a voluntarily recall on one single production batch of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food in which the Aflatoxin levels were discovered to be above the FDA’s acceptable limit.

Although the products affected have already been removed from store shelves, consumers who previously purchased the dog food should check the Code Dates and UPC Codes below to see if the product in their pantry is included in this recall.

Recalled dog food information:

Product Name	Version	Code Date	UPC Code
Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food with Use By or Expiration Dates of February 5 or February 6, 2013	7.0 lb bag	12784177I6	1901402305
	8.0 lb bag	12794177D2 12794177D3	1901410208
	17.5 lb bag	12794177K1 12794177K2	1901401848

The affected product batch was distributed to a small number of retailers located in the eastern USA (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia). No illnesses have been reported, but P&G is removing the product to protect the health of pets.

As with any food safety recall, consumers should stop using the product discard it so it can not be consumed by other pets and contact Iams/P&G via phone at (866) 908-1569; or via their website at www.iams.com. 

Symptoms of Aflatoxin poisoning include lethargy, sluggishness, a poor appetite, diarrhea and/or vomiting.  One may even see a yellowish tint to the eyes or gums.  If the pet has consumed the recalled product and any of these symptoms are seen, contact a veterinarian for immediate consultation.