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. 

Dogs are people, too......NOT!

"Copper" 

There is a popular saying among pet owners that liken pets to humans.  Indeed, pet's that have been with an individual for a long time often have a special bond that makes them as close as one's best human friend. A pet that has lived with a family for years is often identified as "part of the family."  Anyone who has a loved pet can relate. Pet owners invest a great deal of time, love, and money into the care and well-being of their pets. Dogs, in particular, are the earthbound examples of unconditional love.  A pet is commonly described by its feelings, opinions, habits, or personality type, and thus earns the label of being "almost human."

Still, it is important to recognize that dogs, cats and other popular pets are NOT human. What may serve humans well, could endanger the life of the loved pet.  Take the artificial sweetener, Xylitol, for example. Marketed as an anti-cavity agent, this chemical is often added to many popular sugar-free toothpastes, chewing gum, chewable vitamins, candy or baked goods. Some popular products that use Xylitol are Tic-Tacs, Ice Breaker and Orbit gum, Crest Whitestrips, and even Sugar-free Jello Pudding. Each of these products are intended for use by humans, and as such, are perfectly safe.

But earlier this year the FDA issued a warning to pet owners about the dangers associated with the consumption of Xylitol by dogs and ferrets. There have been several reports of dogs becoming ill after accidentally consuming Xylitol. According to the FDA, this chemical in a dogs system can cause vomiting  depression, seizures, liver failure and extreme hypoglycemia. The ladder of these conditions can be fatal to dogs.The onset of the illness can happen in a few minutes to a few days.

As smart consumers, we know it is wise to read the labels of everything we purchase.  Labels on food goods should be plain, simple and easy to understand. A general rule to follow is that If there is something on a label you are not familiar with...don't buy it.  Do your research before putting it into your body. And, since a lot of the food we buy for ourselves ends up accessible to our curious pets (like droppings under the high chair, or toothpaste left out in the bathroom) - its good to know the chemicals that can harm them if they accidently eat it.

Who knew?  Are there other toxins in our households that can be unsuspectingly hazardous to our pets?  Turns out grapes and raisins are known to cause kidney damage in dogs. And in case you were going to bring your dog to the Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival in northern California (or any one of the other U.S. states' popular garlic celebrations), leave Fido at home!  Chowing down on garlic and onions can cause anemia in our precious pets.

For more information about unwitting poisons in your household or yard, check here.