Sunshine Mills, Inc. recalled of certain dog food products due to levels of aflatoxin that are potentially above the acceptable limit, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities.
The potential for aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit in these products was discovered by routine sampling performed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry showing that a sample of a single 4-pound bag of one lot of the product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Sunshine Mills, Inc. pet food products are affected by this announcement.
While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, Sunshine Mills, Inc. has chosen to issue a voluntary recall of these products as a precautionary measure in furtherance of its commitment to the safety and quality of its products. Pets that have consumed any of the recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.
The affected products were distributed in retail stores nationally. Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves. There are no other Family Pet®, Heartland Farms®, or Paws Happy Life® products or other lot codes of these products affected by this precautionary recall.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.
This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Product Name |
Size |
Lot Codes |
UPC Code |
---|---|---|---|
FAMILY PET® MEATY CUTS BEEF CHICKEN & CHEESE FLAVORS PREMIUM DOG FOOD |
4 lb. |
TD3 4/APRIL/2020 |
3225120694 |
14 lb. |
|
3225118078 |
|
28 lb. |
TB3 3/APRIL/2020 |
3225120694 |
|
HEARTLAND FARMS® GRILLED FAVORITES |
14 lb. |
TB1 4/APRIL/2020 |
7015514299 |
31 lb. |
TA2 4/APRIL/2020 |
7015514301 |
|
PAWS HAPPY LIFE® BUTCHER’S CHOICE DOG FOOD |
16 lb. |
TA1 4/APRIL/2020 |
3680035763 |
Tim Wall covers the dog, cat and other pet food industries as a senior reporter for WATT Global Media. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Live Science, Discovery News, Honduras Weekly, Global Journalist and other outlets. He holds an M.A. in journalism and an M.S. in natural resources, both from the University of Missouri - Columbia, along with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Wall served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2005 to 2007, where he coordinated with the town government of Moroceli to organize a municipal trash collection system, taught environmental science, translated for medical brigades and facilitated sustainable agriculture, along with other projects.
Contact Wall via https://www.wattglobalmedia.com/contact-us/
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