Aflatoxin contaminates Cargill dog food

Aflatoxin is in the news again as Cargill Animal Nutrition announced a recall of two brands of dry dog food due to high levels of the potentially toxic mold by-product.  Earlier this month Procter & Gamble recalled Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food in which the Aflatoxin levels were also discovered to be above the FDA’s acceptable limit [see earlier Safety Spot blog post.]

Cargill, an international food and industrial product distributor, targeted the River Run and Marksman brands in this recall.

 Check the company website for photos at this link.

Batches produced from December 2010, and up to Dec. 1, 2011 are involved and only those products with the following Packaging Date Codes or Lot numbers are affected:

• 4K0335 through 4K0365
• LL0335 through LL0365
• 4K1001 through 4K1335
• LL1001 through LL1335

The affected dry dog food has already been removed from the shelves in the fifteen states into which it has been sold, but consumers are warned to check their products to see if they have any of the affected food.  If so, return the dog food to the store of purchase (opened or partially used) for a complete refund.

Cargill can be contacted for more information at (855) 460-1532 or at their website.

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.