Three types of dog food and treats recalled due to ‘elevated’ mold levels, FDA says

At least three pet food products have been recalled due to “elevated” levels of a mold by-product that can be harmful to animals, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Sunshine Mills, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of its dog food and beef chicken treats, citing unacceptable levels of a toxin known as aflatoxin. The “naturally occurring mold by-product” could make pets sick if consumed in large quantities, the company said.

The items under recall include Family Pet® Meaty Cuts beef, chicken & cheese flavors of premium dog food, Paws Happy Life® Butcher’s Choice dog food and Heartland Farms® Grilled Favorites, beef, chicken & cheese flavors.

“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,” officials said in a Sept. 2 release announcing the precautionary recall.

Potentially dangerous levels of the toxin were detected during a routine sampling conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry on a single 4-pound bag of the product, according to officials. So far, no illnesses or “adverse health effects” have been reported.

Officials said the recalled pet food products were distributed to stores nationwide, but did not disclose which ones.

However, consumers should be on the lookout for the following affected lot codes:

• Family Pet® Meaty Cuts beef, chicken & cheese premium dog food — TD3 4/APRIL/2020, TD1 5/APRIL/2020, TB1 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020 and TB3 3/APRIL/2020.

• Paws Happy Life® Butcher’s Choice dog food — TA1 4/APRIL/2020 and TA2 4/APRIL/2020

• Heartland Farms® Grilled Favorites, beef, chicken & cheese — TB1 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020, TA2 4/APRIL/2020 and TA3 4/APRIL/2020

Pet parents who have purchased the affected products should throw them out or return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a refund, officials said.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Sunshine Mills, Inc at (800) 705-2111 or customer.service@sunshinemills.com.