Lansing, MI - On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. announced a recall of several varieties of Sportmix pet food products after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted to reports of at least 28 dogs having died and eight more having fallen ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is partnering with the FDA to investigate cases reported in Michigan.
“Aflatoxin is a serious threat to animals when consumed,” said Tim Lyons, the department’s Animal Feed Safety & Ag Products Section Manager. “MDARD’s Animal Feed Program is committed to ensuring the safety of feed ingredients sold in Michigan and protecting animal health. Pet owners with potentially contaminated products should save any remaining pet food and original containers or packaging materials for product tracing and possible testing by the department.”
Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. Pets experiencing aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea. In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some cases, pets may suffer liver damage but not show symptoms.
There is no evidence to suggest pet owners who handle products containing aflatoxin are at risk; however, pet owners should always wash their hands after handling pet food.
Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed below:
- Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L2
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
- Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag
- Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
- Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
- Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
- Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
- Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
- Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
Retailers and distributors should immediately pull recalled lots from their inventory and shelves and contact Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs at 800-474-4163, ext. 455 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email
If you believe your pet is sick from a foodborne illness or your pet is experiencing a health-related issue that could be associated with pet food, consult your veterinarian, and report the issue to MDARD’s Animal Feed Safety Program at 1-800-292-3939.
More information, including pictures of the affected product can be found at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/midwestern-pet-foods-voluntarily-recalls-pet-food-recall-aflatoxin-health-risk.