Midwestern Pet Foods has had several recalls in the past year, including one in December where 70 pets died of aflatoxin contamination. In March, the company also voluntarily recalled several products due to salmonella contamination. Now, even though another recall isn’t issued, the FDA is raising concerns over the past aflatoxin recall. According to a statement from the FDA, about 130 dogs died, and 220 suffered from injuries related to the consumption of their products.
So, the FDA further inspected the manufacturing plants and found some concerns and violations. They are encouraging the public to be cautious with the dog food brands they use.
Warning Letter Raises Concerns
On Tuesday, August 17th, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Jeffrey J. Nunn, the CEO and president of Midwestern Pet Foods. The FDA wrote this warning after inspecting the company’s manufacturing plants.
They started with the plant in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The many deaths and illnesses likely related to Sportmix dog food triggered this inspection. The FDA ended up observing some questionable practices. Thus, they brought the situation to the CEO’s attention.
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a corporate-wide warning letter to Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. after inspections of its manufacturing sites revealed apparent violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that were shared across the sites. These conditions likely contributed to the illness or death of hundreds of dogs,” the FDA wrote.
The FDA requested that Midwestern Pet Foods respond to the warning within 15 working days, acknowledging that they are taking steps to correct the violations. If they do not correct these mistakes in time, legal action may be required.
Holding Companies Accountable
Yet, this situation is about much more than right and wrong. The lives of many dogs are at stake. Sadly, countless owners fed their pets the products before realizing the risks. It’s important that no more dogs have to go through this.
“These pet food products manufactured in your OK facility are adulterated in that they bear or contain a poisonous or deleterious substance which renders them injurious to health,” the FDA wrote in the warning letter.
Aflatoxin is a by-product of mold that can be deadly in some cases. It often grows on corn and other grains used in pet food. If dogs consume high aflatoxin levels, they could suffer from symptoms like sluggishness, a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice. If you suspect that your dog is suffering from aflatoxin poisoning, contact your vet right away.
Midwestern Pet Foods has not responded to the warning yet. But in the meantime, pet parents are urged to be cautious about what they feed their furry friends.
H/T: fda.gov
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