Three brands of Sportmix pet food lead to aflatoxin poisoning in 70 pets.
Updated on January 12, 2021, at 2:36 p.m.
The United States Food and Drug Administration announced Monday, January 11, a major recall in pet food that has caused the deaths of at least 70 dogs, and illness in at least 80—previously, only 28 dogs had died, as of December 31.
According to the FDA, three brands of Sportmix pet food were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to have had “very high levels” of aflatoxin- a mold that grows on corn and other grains used to make pet food. The products were distributed online and to stores across the country.
Nine lots of the Sportmix brand products for both dogs and cats have been recalled by Midwestern Pet Foods, the owner of the brand, as the FDA and Missouri Department of Agriculture continue to investigate if other products are tainted with the mold.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea. The FDA stated that there is no evidence of any threat to humans that have handled the product.
If your pet shows symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. If you own any of the recalled products, consumers are asked to contact the company for more information on how to dispose of the product so that children, pets, or other wildlife cannot get to it.
The lot code begins with the letters “Exp” and can be found on the back of the bag.
As of January 12, the recalled products are:
Sportmix Energy Plus
- 50 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L2
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
- 44 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
Sportmix Premium High Energy
- 50 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
- 44 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
Sportmix Original Cat
- 31 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
- 15 lb. bag:
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3