Aflatoxin Recall EXPANDED; Now Includes Sportmix, Pro Pac, More...

Lot code information is on the back of the bag in a 3-line code, with the top line in format “EXP 07/09/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM.” The code must include the “05” after the year.

Maker: Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc.
Cause: Aflatoxin
Announcement: FDA alert dated Jan. 11, 2021
What was recalled: The following specific lots of dry dog and cat food produced in Midwestern Pet Foods’ Oklahoma plant (denoted with a “05” in the date/lot code), with expiration dates of July 9, 2022 or earlier:

Pro Pac Dog Food:

Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk, 40 lb. bags
Pro Pac Performance Puppy, 40 lb. bags

Splash Fat Cat (Cat Food):

Splash Fat Cat 32%, 50 lb. bags

Nunn Better Dog Food:

Nunn Better Maintenance, 50 lb. bags

Sportmix Dog and Cat Food:

Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bags
Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bags
Sportmix Maintenance, 44 lb. bags
Sportmix Maintenance, 50 lb. bags
Sportmix High Protein, 50 lb. bags
Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bags
Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bags
Sportmix Stamina, 44 lb. bags
Sportmix Stamina, 50 lb. bags
Sportmix Bite Size, 40 lb. bags
Sportmix Bite Size, 44 lb. bags
Sportmix High Energy, 44 lb. bags
Sportmix High Energy, 50 lb. bags
Sportmix Premium Puppy, 16.5 lb. bags
Sportmix Premium Puppy, 33 lb. bags

Again, the only bags of pet food being recalled are those listed above that have a “05” in the date/lot code AND an expiration date of July 9, 2022 or earlier.

According to the U.S. Food and Safety Administration (FDA), this is a vast expansion of an earlier recall late last year of certain Sportmix pet foods due to elevated aflatoxin levels. As of January 11, more than 70 dogs have died and at least 80 more have been sickened after eating Sportmix pet food.

In addition to many more dates and varieties of Sportmix, the affected products include certain packages of Pro Pac, Splash Fat Cat and Nunn Better. All of the foods were produced at the same Midwestern Pet Foods plant in Oklahoma and are being recalled out of an abundance of caution.

Aflatoxin Investigation Is Ongoing

Aflatoxin is a mold byproduct that can be harmful — and even deadly — to pets in large enough quantities.

As Petful mentioned back in October of last year, recalls of corn-based dry pet foods like this have been no surprise since “aflatoxin becomes more prevalent in drought years, and this was a drought year in the Midwest region.”

The FDA has let it be known that this isn’t the last we’ve heard of aflatoxin recalls, either — the agency says, “As new information becomes available, this product list may continue to expand.”

Do You Have One of the Products Above?

Only the specific sizes, dates and lot codes listed above are part of this expanded recall.

Lot code information is on the back of the bag in a 3-line code, with the top line in format “EXP 07/09/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM.” The code must include the “05” (which we have bolded for emphasis).

If you have any of the affected products in your home, do not feed them to your pet. Contact the place of purchase for refund information, or call the company, Midwestern Pet Foods, directly at 1-800-474-4163, ext. 455, during business hours for further information.

What If You Have Already Been Feeding It?

If you had already been feeding one of the products to your pet, please consult your veterinarian after you discontinue feeding — especially if your pet is showing signs of illness.

“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,” according to the FDA. “In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some cases, pets may suffer liver damage but not show any symptoms.”

Finally, do not just toss the pet food in the trash. Instead, “destroy the products in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them,” the FDA advises. Then, be sure to “wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups and storage containers.”