While stuck at home most of this year, a lot of us have been focusing on what brings us comfort, like food and dogs (or your pet of choice). What could possibly go wrong with that? Well, it started with a recall of onions, which basically required us to throw away any we had in the house. Next came peaches—recalled during their seasonal peak, at the prime of their lives. And now, it’s dog food. As if things weren’t ruff enough already. Here’s what you need to know about the latest dog food recall.
Which dog food products are being recalled?
First, we should point out that this is a voluntary recall issued by the dog food manufacturer Sunshine Mills, Inc., and concerns the following products, which were sold in retailers nationwide:
Family Pet Meaty Cuts Beef Chicken & Cheese Flavors Premium Dog FoodHeartland Farms Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken & Cheese FlavorPaws Happy Life Butcher’s Choice Dog Food
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are no other Family Pet, Heartland Farms, or Paws Happy Life products affected by this precautionary recall. Additional information, including lot and UPC codes, are listed on the FDA’s website and can be found on the chart below.
Why is this dog food being recalled?
According to the FDA, the products listed above are being recalled because they may contain potentially harmful levels of Aflatoxin—a naturally occurring byproduct of mold—which can be dangerous for pets if consumed in large quantities. The good news is that at this point, there have been no reported incidents of canine illness associated with eating these recalled foods.
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If your dog may have eaten the potentially problematic food, the FDA recommends monitoring your pet for symptoms including “sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea.” If your pooch is experiencing any of these after eating the recalled food, it’s time to see the veterinarian.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. If you purchased the recalled products, Sunshine Mills says to stop feeding them to your dog, and wants customers to know that they may return the unused portion of the food to its place of purchase for a full refund.
If you have other questions for Sunshine Mills, Inc., you can reach their customer service department at (800) 705-2111 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or by email at [email protected].
Now, can 2020 go ahead and give us a break for a minute?