Pet Food Lawsuits, Litigation

Mexican government proposes to end VAT tax on pet food

A 16% VAT tax levied on pet food in Mexico in 2014 may be eliminated if approved by Congress.

September 16, 2021

A 16% VAT tax levied on pet food in Mexico in 2014, which has been indirectly transferred to pet owners, may be eliminated if approved by Congress.

No new Midwestern Pet Foods recall despite headlines

Part of the confusion may have resulted from the wording of the FDA press release about the warning letter.

August 23, 2021

Tim Wall

News media outlets reported on FDA’s warning letter to Midwestern Pet Foods. However, much of the coverage framed the warning letter as related to a concurrent recall.

FDA warns Midwestern Pet Foods over aflatoxin, Salmonella

As of August 9, the FDA is aware of more than 130 pet deaths and more than 220 pet illnesses that may be linked to eating brands of pet food manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods.

August 20, 2021

Tim Wall

As of August 9, the FDA is aware of more than 130 pet deaths and more than 220 pet illnesses that may be linked to eating brands of pet food manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods.

Mycotoxin pet food recalls provide cautionary safety tale

February 26, 2021

Debbie Phillips-Donaldson

Even for pet food manufacturers whose products do not contain ingredients typically at risk for mycotoxins, the recent Midwestern recall offers lessons.

Lawsuit over aflatoxin in recalled Sportsmix dog food

The lawsuit follows numerous dog deaths associated with consuming Sportsmix dog food.

January 27, 2021

Tim Wall

The lawsuit alleges that Midwestern Pet Food should have been aware of dangerous aflatoxin levels in Sportsmix dog food that the plaintiff fed her seven dogs, six adults and one puppy.

Mars sues Simmons over dog food label similarities

Mars Petcare filed a lawsuit alleging that Simmons Pet Food’s Signature brands copied the packaging of Pedigree dog food, which the Mars stated is the best-selling brand by revenues in the United States in 2020.

October 6, 2020

Tim Wall

Mars believes that Simmons infringed on Pedigree’s trade dress by using the same label colors and design elements.

CBD pet products may face more FDA warnings, lawsuits

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in the process of issuing a draft enforcement policy on cannabis-derived compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD). That draft is currently at the White House for review.

September 17, 2020

Tim Wall

Depending on how that policy ends up, FDA could issue more warning letters to pet product companies using CBD in their formulations.