Midwestern Pet Foods of Evansville, Indiana, has come under fire from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for products possibly related to the deaths of 130 dogs and illnesses in 220 others.
The FDA scrutinized the company following its voluntary recall of 20 products in December, 2020, that were linked to deaths in 28 dogs. Midwestern expanded its recall in January, 2021, after tests revealed excessive levels of aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin is produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in dogs. Pronounced symptoms include GI upset, jaundice, sluggishness and loss of appetite. To date, no human illnesses associated with this recall have been reported.
An inspection of Midwestern’s Oklahoma plant was spurred by reports of illness or death in dogs that had eaten Sportsmix brand dry dog food. Other Midwestern recalled products include Pro Pac Originals, Splash, Sportstrail and Nunn Better dry dog and cat foods. Moreover, the Midwestern recalled several brands of pet food produced in their Illinois plant after samples tested positive for salmonella in March.
Follow-up inspections of Midwestern’s plants in New York, Illinois and Indiana “revealed apparent violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” intended to keep pet food safe, and conditions that “likely contributed to the illness or death of hundreds of dogs,” the FDA told the New York Times.
Bravo Packing, Inc. and Sunshine Mills also have had multiple product recalls this year. In total, there have been 16 recalls in 2021, per FDA records. Salmonella and listeria monocytogenes contamination and excess levels of aflatoxin were the most oft cited reasons for recalls. In 2020, 41 pet food products were recalled.
Both salmonella and listeria are food-borne bacterial pathogens. Pet food containing raw or uncooked meat is more likely than processed pet food to test positive for salmonella. Symptoms may include fever and gastrointestinal upset and are typically more pronounced in humans than dogs or cats, though kittens and puppies are more vulnerable. Usually, listeria also causes mild GI symptoms in pets, though more serious signs including muscle pain, respiratory problems, miscarriage an even death are possible. As with Salmonella, listeria causes more severe symptoms in people.
Recalls were issued by the manufacturer after further in-house or state departments of agriculture testing revealed deficiencies and/or contamination. Retailers and distributors were urged to pull affected products from their shelves and contact consumers however possible. Consumers should check lot numbers and contact the vendor and manufacturer, respectively, regarding refunds and product disposal. Pet food bowls, utensils, cups and storage containers coming in contact with affected products should be thoroughly washed and sanitized.
Since the recalls, Midwestern has not adequately remediated its food safety procedures, per the FDA. In a letter to the company dated August 9, the FDA mandated a detailed written response providing steps the company was taking to correct the violations. Legal actions including “product seizure and/or injunction” were posed as consequences for inaction. Midwest was given 15 days to respond. No response has been noted as of press time.
Click here for a list of pet food recalls.
Please read Susan Thixton’s article questioning who regulates the pet food industry.