More Dog Food Recalled due to Aflatoxin

Petrus Feed and Seed Stores voluntarily recalled several lots of its dry dog food due to aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit.

The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s manufacturing facility in LeCompte, La., between Dec. 1, 2010 and Dec. 1, 2011.

The recall applies to 21 percent Protein Dog Food, packaged in 40 lb. Petrus Feed bags with packaging date codes [lot numbers] 4K1011 through 4K1335. The affected dry dog food was distributed in Petrus Feed and Seed in Alexandria, La.

No adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, and Petrus said it implemented the recall as a precautionary measure. The company urged consumers to return affected products to their place of purchase for a full refund, regardless of whether the bags are opened or unopened.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product. 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 company said.

A wet weather pattern in the Midwest and Central U.S. may have contributed to several companies recalling dry dog food in December due to aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit, including Cargill Animal Nutrition, Procter and Gamble and Advanced Animal Nutrition.

Wet conditions can stress corn, creating an ideal environment for aflatoxin to grow, according to Tina Wismer, DVM, medical director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Animal Poison Control Center. <HOME>