Pet Food Lawsuit

Dozens of recalls have been issued for cat food and dog food that is contaminated with horse meat, toxic corn mold (aflatoxin), deadly euthanasia drugs, beef thyroid hormones, metal pieces, and bacteria.

UPDATE: Bravo Packing Recalls Raw Pet Food for Salmonella, Listeria Risk

On March 3, 2021, Bravo Packing Inc. recalled all Performance Dog and Ground Beef Raw Pet Food after samples tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria bacteria during an FDA inspection. The food poses a serious health risk to pets and people who handle the food.

Pet Food Recall Expands After 110+ Pets Die of Toxic Mold Poisoning, Recall Goes International

UPDATE: On January 16, 2021, the FDA reported at least 110 pet deaths had been linked to aflatoxin poisoning in Sportmix and other dog & cat foods from Midwestern Pet Foods Inc. Furthermore, the recall expanded internationally to 35 countries in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

On January 11, 2021, Midwestern Pet Foods expanded a recall for dry dog and cat food after at least 70 pets died of toxic corn mold poisoning. At least 80 pets got sick after eating the food.

The symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs or cats may include sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish color to the eyes or gums), liver damage, unexplained bruising or bleeding, diarrhea, or sudden death.

Pets may show no symptoms, but still be suffering liver damage, and they could suddenly die if they continue eating the food. Pet owners should take their pet to the veterinarian immediately if the pet has eaten any of the recalled food.

The expanded recall includes the following pet foods with Expiration Dates on or before “07/09/22” and the number “05” in the date/lot code, which means it was made in Oklahoma:

Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk
Pro Pac Performance Puppy
Splash Fat Cat 32%
Nunn Better Maintenance
Sportstrail, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag
Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag
Sportmix Maintenance, 44 lb. bag
Sportmix Maintenance, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix High Protein, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag
Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix Stamina, 44 lb. bag
Sportmix Stamina, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix Bite Size, 40 lb. bag
Sportmix Bite Size, 44 lb. bag
Sportmix High Energy, 44 lb. bag
Sportmix High Energy, 50 lb. bag
Sportmix Premium Puppy, 16.5 lb. bag
Sportmix Premium Puppy, 33 lb. bag

The original recalled was issued on December 30, 2020, for several types of Sportmix® dry food for dogs and cats after 28 reports of dogs who died of aflatoxin poisoning. The recalled products and lot codes include:

50# Sportmix Energy Plus Lots Exp 03/02/22/05/L2, 03/02/22/05/L3, 03/03/22/05/L2
44# Sportmix Energy Plus Lots 03/02/22/05/L3
50# Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
44# Sportmix Premium High Energy Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
31# Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L3
15# Sportmix Original Cat Lots 03/03/22/05/L2, 03/03/22/05/L3

Albright’s Raw Dog Food Recalled for Salmonella Risk

On November 13, 2020, Albright’s Raw Dog Food (Chicken Recipe) was recalled after 1 pet was sickened and FDA tests on the product were positive for Salmonella. The recalled dog food was sold frozen, packaged in 2-pound chubs/rolls, with Lot number C000185, Best By 19 May 2021, and it was distributed from 7/8/20 to 8/27/20.

Sunshine Mills Expands Recall for Dog & Cat Foods With High Levels of Mold Toxin

In October 2020, Sunshine Mills expanded recall for a variety of dog and cat foods that may contain high levels of aflatoxin, which is a poisonous byproduct of corn mold that can sicken pets.

The original recall was issued in September 2020 for certain bags of Family Pet®, Heartland Farms®, and Paws Happy Life® dog foods.

The expanded recall includes specific lots of the following pet foods:

- - CHAMP® MINI CHUNK DOG FOOD BEEF AND CHICKEN FLAVOR
  - FIELD TRIAL® COMPLETE NUTRITION PREMIUM DOG FOOD
  - GOOD DOG® DOG FOOD HI-ENERGY FORMULA
  - HUNTER’S SPECIAL®
    DOG FOOD HI ENERGY FORMULA
  - HUNTER’S SPECIAL®
    DOG FOOD MAINTENANCE FORMULA
  - HUNTER’S SPECIAL® FARM & RANCH RECIPE SUPER CHUNKS DOG FOOD
  - OLD GLORY® DOG FOOD HEARTY BEEF & CHICKEN FLAVOR
  - PAWS HAPPY LIFE® NUTRITIONALLY COMPLETE DOG FOOD
  - PET EXPERT ALWAYS FIT FORMULA
  - PRINCIPLE SUPER PREMIUM NATURAL DOG FOOD BREEDER PACK
  - RETRIEVER® BITES & BONES ADULT COMPLETE NUTRITION SAVORY CHICKEN FLAVOR
  - RIVER BEND DOG FOOD BASIC NUTRITION
  - RIVER BEND DOG FOOD SELECT
  - SPORTSMAN’S PRIDE® MAINTENANCE ADULT FORMULA DOG FOOD
  - SPROUT® BITES & BONES
  - SPROUT® HI-PROTEIN
  - SPROUT® MAINTENANCE
  - SPROUT® PUPPY
  - THRIFTY® ADULT DOG FOOD
  - TOP RUNNER® PREMIUM DOG FOOD
  - WHISKERS & TAILS ADULT RECIPE COMPLETE DOG FOOD

Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo Dog Food Recalled for Salmonella Risk

In September 2020, Real Pet Food Company recalled Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe 4-lb bags of dog food due to a risk of Salmonella. No illnesses were reported in pets or people. The recall involves products with lot code V 07 Feb 2022.

Family Pet®, Heartland Farms®, and Paws Happy Life® Dog Food Recalls

In September 2020, Sunshine Mills recalled 3 types of dog food after a bag tested positive for high levels of aflatoxin, a mold byproduct that can make pets sick. Pets who eat significant amounts may be sluggish, lethargic, reluctant to eat, vomiting, have a yellowish tint to their eyes or gums, or diarrhea. The recall involves certain bags of the following dog foods:

- - Family Pet® Meaty Cuts Beef Chicken & Cheese Flavors Premium Dog Food
  - Heartland Farms® Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken & Cheese Flavor
  - Paws Happy Life® Butcher’s Choice Dog Food

Nature’s Menu® Dog Food Recall

In August 2020, Sunshine Mills recalled certain bags of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail due to a risk of Salmonella. No illnesses were reported, but a 3-pound bag tested positive for Salmonella, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Natural Balance® Cat Food Recall

In July 2020, certain cans of Natural Balance® Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula were recalled after cats fell ill due to high levels of choline chloride. The cat food was sold in 5.5-ounce cans with Retail UPC Code 2363353227, Lot Code 9217803 and a “Best By” date of 08 04 2021.

FDA Issues 2nd Warning for Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food Due to Salmonella & Listeria

In February 2020, the FDA issued another warning for Aunt Jeni’s raw pet food after Salmonella was detected in a store-bought sample of Aunt Jeni’s Home Made All-Natural Turkey Dinner Dog Food, which is sold frozen in 5-pound containers. No recall was issued.

The FDA previously warned pet parents against feeding Aunt Jeni’s Frozen Raw Pet Food in August 2019 after 2 samples of frozen dog food tested positive for Listeria and Salmonella contamination. No recall was issued.

Go Raw LLC Recalls Quest Beef Cat Food for Salmonella

In November 2019, Go Raw, LLC, of Utah recalled its 2lb. frozen bags of “Quest Beef Cat Food” due to a risk of Salmonella. The cat food was nationally distributed through retail stores and are identified with Lot N128 and UPC 6-91730-17101-8. No illnesses have been reported. This recall was issued after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected a sample and it tested positive for Salmonella.

Smallbatch Raw Organic Pet Food Recalled for Salmonella

Smallbatch Pets Inc., of Portland, Oregon, recalled 2-pound bags of frozen raw organic “Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats” after a random sample tested positive for Salmonella.

The food contains raw meat and it is meant to be eaten uncooked by pets. It was sold at pet stores in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.

In March 2016, Smallbatch Pets also recalled frozen “Dog Duckbatch Sliders” that tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

The symptoms of Salmonella infection in a pet may include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets have no symptoms, or only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain, but they can still spread infections to other pets or people.

Party Animal Cocolicious Dog Food Recall

Recall for Cocolicious Dog Food In April 2017, a recall was issued for two lots of Cocolicious canned dog food made by Party Animal after it tested positive for pentobarbital at a laboratory at Texas A&M. There was one report of a pet who experienced discomfort after eating the product.

The recalled dog food was manufactured in 2015 and more recent products have tested negative for pentobarbital. The following products are included in the recall:

- - 3-ounce cans of Cocolicious Beef & Turkey dog food (Lot #0136E15204 04, best by July 2019)
  - 13-ounce cans of Cocolicious Chicken & Beef dog food (Lot #0134E15 237 13, best by August 2019).

Evanger’s and Against the Grain Dog Food Recall

Dog Food Recall
In February 2017, Evanger’s and “Against the Grain” recalled a limited amount of canned dog food after several dogs got sick or died. In March 2017, the recall expanded to include all “chunk beef” dog food, including:

- - Evanger’s Hunk of Beef
  - Evanger’s Braised Beef
  - Against the Grain Pulled Beef

Tests Find Horse Meat, Deadly Drugs in Dog Food

Tests found horse meat and pentobarbital, a deadly euthanasia drug for horses, in unopened cans of Evanger’s and Against the Grain canned dog food. The FDA received 10 complaints, including a report of a pug named Talulah who died after eating Evanger’s “Hunk of Beef” on New Year’s Eve.

Symptoms of Pentobarbital Exposure

- - Drowsiness
  - Dizziness
  - Excitement
  - Falling over
  - Nausea, vomiting
  - Jerking eye movements
  - Coma
  - Death

Beef Thyroid Hormones Can Kill Your Pet

The FDA warned veterinarians and pet owners that some commercial brands of dog and cat food have dangerously high levels of beef thyroid hormones.

The problem was discovered after 3 dogs were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism after eating certain brands of canned dog food. Tests on those products found beef thyroid hormones and iodine, which means the food was made with livestock gullets (throat meat).

Thyroid hormones get into pet food when slaughterhouses do not completely remove the thyroid gland from the gullet. The thyroid gland is not allowed in meat for human or animal consumption.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

Dogs who consume high levels of beef thyroid hormones can develop heart damage. It can also cause death. The symptoms may include:

- - Excessive thirst
  - Frequent urination
  - Weight loss
  - Eating more than usual
  - Restlessness
  - Hyperactivity
  - Fast heartbeat
  - Fast breathing
  - Trouble breathing
  - Vomiting
  - Diarrhea

WellPet Wellness Dog Food Recall

WellPet issued a recall after tests found beef thyroid hormones in Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs with “Best-By” dates of 02FEB19, 29AUG19, and 30AUG19 printed on the bottom of the can, and UPC #076344894506.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall

Blue Buffalo Recalls Canned Dog Food

Blue Buffalo issued a recall after tests found beef thyroid hormones in 12.5-oz cans of BLUE Wilderness® Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs with a “Best-By” date of June 7, 2019 printed on the bottom of the can and UPC #840243101153.

$32 Million Blue Buffalo Class Action Settlement

In 2016, Blue Buffalo paid the largest-ever pet food settlement — $32 million was paid to more than 100,000 consumers who joined a class action lawsuit against the company for falsely advertising pet food as “poultry byproduct-free” when it did in fact contain poultry byproducts.

Pig Ears Recalled for Salmonella Risk

EuroCan Manufacturing issued a recall in March 2017 after certain pig ears for dogs tested positive for Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning in dogs or people who touch the pig ears. The recall involves Lot Number 84 of 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags of pig ears sold under the Barnsdale Farms®, Barnsdale Farms®-Select, Houndstooth® and Mac’s Choice® brands.

PetSmart Grreat Choice Dog Food Recall

PetSmart issued a recall in February 2017 after a customer complained about finding pieces of metal in “Grreat Choice® Canned Dog Food.” No injuries were reported.