Dog foods recalled due to elevated aflatoxin levels and Salmonella risk

September 16, 2020

dvm360 Staff

There have been no reports of illness related to any of the products recently recalled by Sunshine Mills, Inc.

In late August and early September, Sunshine Mills, Inc. announced voluntarily recalls of several lots of dog food due to potentially elevated aflatoxin levels and possible Salmonella contamination.

Aflatoxin, a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus, can be harmful when consumed in large quantities, according to the recall announcement.

The company says a single 4-pound bag of 1 lot of the product showed elevated levels of aflatoxin during routine sampling by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Ingestion of affected product may cause sluggishness or lethargy combined with decreased appetite, vomiting, icterus, or diarrhea. To date, no adverse events have been reported in association with these products, which were distributed in retail stores throughout the country.

Below is a full description of the products affected by this recall.

A recall of dog foods potentially contaminated with Salmonella was announced in late August. The Georgia Department of Agriculture discovered the presence of Salmonella in a sample of a single 3-pound bag of Nature’s MenuSuper Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail. The food has UPC codes of 7015514363 and 7015514365 with the following lot codes:

3-lb bag lot codes: TE1 20/April /2020, TE1 21/April/2020, TE1 22/April/2020, TE2 20/April /2020, TE2 21/April/2020, TE2 22/April/2020, TE3 20/April/2020, TE3 21/April/2020, TE3 22/April/2020

13.5-lb bag lot codes: TB1 20/April /2020, TB1 21/April/2020, TB1 22/April/2020, TB2 20/April /2020, TB2 21/April/2020, TB2 22/April/2020, TB3 20/April/2020, TB3 21/April/2020, TB3 22/April/2020

Salmonella-infected pet food poses a health risk both to pets and their owners. Clinical signs in pets and people are similar and may include lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), decreased appetite, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can infect other animals and humans. To date, there have been no reports or complaints of illness from eating these foods.

Pet owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian immediately if their pet has eaten any of these contaminated foods or displayed any of the signs above.

Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull them from their inventory and shelves. Pet owners who have these products in their possession should discard them immediately. Anyone with questions is advised to call 800-705-2111 or email customer.service@sunshinemills.com.