Hills expands recall of products containing excess vitamin D

Recall woes are not over yet for Hill's Pet Nutrition. Yesterday, the company announced a voluntary recall of 31 additional lot/date codes of canned dog food products due to elevated levels of vitamin D.

In a letter emailed to practices yesterday, Jesper Nordengaard, vice president and general manager of Hill's US, confirmed that the newly recalled products were made with the same vitamin premix that led to the late January recall. “Our review did determine that there were additional products affected by that vitamin premix, and it is for that reason that we are expanding the recall,” he said. “No dry foods, cat foods or treats are affected.”

In an alert from the FDA issued today, the agency says the recall was expanded after the FDA requested that Hill's test samples of foods that were not part of the original recall. "Hill's conducted that testing, which led to the expanded recall on March 20," the alert states.

The list of newly recalled products is below. For the complete list of products included in this recall, click here.

Product name

SKU number

Lot code/date code

Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care with Lamb Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

2697

102020T25

Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken & Vegetable Entrée dog food, 12 x 12.8 oz cans

2975

092020T28

Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

3384

092020T29

Hill's Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Urinary Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 5.5 oz, 24-pack

3388

102020T18

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken & Vegetable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

3389

092020T28

102020T24

102020T25

Hill' Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Canine Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew, 24 x 5.5 oz cans

3391

092020T27

Hill's Prescription Diet g/d Aging Care Turkey Flavor Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7006

092020T22

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care with Turkey Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7008

092020T21

Hill's Prescription Diet r/d Canine, 12 x 12.3 oz cans

7014

092020T28

102020T27

102020T28

Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight/Glucose Management with Chicken Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7017

102020T24

102020T25

112020T09

112020T10

Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7037

092020T22

Hill's Science Diet Adult Beef & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7039

092020T31

102020T21

Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Beef Entrée Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7040

112020T10

112020T11

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food, 13 oz, 12-pack

7056

102020T28

Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Digestive/Weight/Glucose Management Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

10129

112020T11

112020T05

Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

10423

092020T27

092020T28

092020T24

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew dog food, 12 x 12.5 oz cans

10449

092020T28

Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Adult Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

10451

102020T28

Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine Adult 7+ Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz, 12-pack

10452

102020T28

In his email, Nordengaard noted that Hill's is well aware of the “considerable concern” the recall has caused pet owners and the “disruption and difficulty” it has caused veterinary practices. He outlined the following ways in which the company is “working to make this right,” including:

Expanding the operating hours of its Veterinary Consultation Service as well as its consumer call center, which is now open seven days a week

Paying for diagnostic screening for hypervitaminosis D for any pet that has consumed affected products, as well as for further testing until the pet's vitamin D levels return to normal

Reimbursing pet parents for medical treatment of affected pets

The FDA is urging veterinarians treating patients for vitamin D toxicity to ask their clients for a diet history. The agency also welcomes case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. These reports can be submitted electronically through the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal.

Signs of excessive vitamin D intake can include vomiting, appetite loss, weight loss, increased thirst and urination, and excessive drooling. Serious health issues, including renal dysfunction, may occur. In most cases, the company says, affected pets make a full recovery when they stop eating the affected foods.

Pet owners who wish to speak directly with a Hill's representative should contact Hill's Consumer Affairs via email (contactus@hillspet.com) or phone (800-445-5777).

Veterinarians wishing to discuss medical cases related to the recall should contact the company's Veterinary Consultation Service via phone (800-548-8387) or email (vet_consult@hillspet.com).

Veterinary professionals looking for reimbursement information can visit hillsvet.com/recallresources.