RECALL UPDATE: 15 More Brands Recalled For Deadly Aflatoxins

Just over a month ago, dog food company Sunshine Mills voluntarily recalled select food due to salmonella contamination and aflatoxin contamination. At the time, it was only a few bags, so dog parents thought they could breathe a sigh of relief. But as it turns out, deadly aflatoxins in dog food are on the rise. Sunshine Mills has since issued more voluntary recalls due to high levels of aflatoxins. Now, 15 additional brands have been affected, some with more than one formula. So, if your dog currently eats a Sunshine Mills product, you’ll want to keep an eye out for current and future recalls.

What is Aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a mold by-product that can be harmful to dogs, and even deadly if they consume large quantities. Any pets that consume the recalled products should seek veterinary help right away, especially if they’re showing symptoms.

Here are some symptoms of aflatoxin toxicity in pets:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reluctance to eat
• Yellow tint to eyes or gums

Which Brands are Affected?

The Sunshine Mills recall was expanded after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration held an investigation. They determined that corn-based dog food made between April 3rd and April 5th, 2020 could contain corn with elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Here are the products affected by this recall:

• Champ Mini Chunk Dog Food Beef and Chicken Flavor 12 pounds. Lot code –  TC2 3/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7328315416.
• Field Trial Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 16 pounds. Lot code – TC2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015514530.
• Good Dog Brand Dog Food Hi-Energy Formula 50 pounds. Lot code –  TA1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #5216624165.
• Hunter’s Special Dog Food Hi Energy Formula 50 pounds. Lot codes – TA1 5/APRIL/2020, TA2 5/APRIL/2020 or TA3 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015510145.
• Hunter’s Special Dog Food Maintenance Formula 50 pounds. Lot codes – TB3 4/APRIL/2020 or TB1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015510135.
• Hunter’s Special Farm & Ranch Recipe Super Chunks Dog Food 50 pounds. Lot codes – TC2 5/APRIL/2020 or TC3 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015510182.
• Old Glory Dog Food Hearty Beef & Chicken Flavor 4 pounds. Lot codes – TE3 3/APRIL/2020 or TE2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015514339.
• Old Glory Dog Food Hearty Beef & Chicken Flavor 12.75 pounds. Lot codes – TA3 3/APRIL/2020, TB1 3/APRIL/2020, TC1 3/APRIL/2020, TC2 3/APRIL/2020, TC3 3/APRIL/2020, TA1 4/APRIL/2020, TC1 4/APRIL/2020, TA2 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020 or TC2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015514298.
• Paws Happy Life Nutritionally Complete Dog Food 17 pounds. Lot code – TC2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #3680042561.
• Pet Expert Always Fit Formula 50 pounds. Lot code – TC2 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #5208887976.
• Principle Super Premium Natural Dog Food Breeder Pack 40 pounds. Lot codes – TA3 4/APRIL/2020 or TA1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #580179586032.
• Retriever Bites and Bones Adult Complete Nutrition Savory Chicken Flavor 52 pounds. Lot codes – TC3 4/APRIL/2020 or TC1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #4939422642.
• River Bend Dog Food Basic Nutrition 40 pounds. Lot code – TC1 5/APRIL/2020. No UPC provided.
• River Bend Dog Food Basic Nutrition 50 pounds. Lot code – TC1 5/APRIL/2020. No UPC provided.
• River Bend Dog Food Select 50 pounds. Lot code – TB3 4/APRIL/2020. No UPC provided.
• Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food 20 pounds. Lot code – TB1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015510082.
• Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance Adult Formula Dog Food 50 pounds. Lot code – TB1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015510110.
• Sprout Bites & Bones 50 pounds. Lot code – TC2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015505091.
• Sprout Hi-Protein 20 pounds. Lot codes – TI2 4/APRIL/2020 or TI3 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #70155505120.
• Sprout Hi-Protein 50 pounds. Lot code – TI3 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015505119.
• Sprout Maintenance 40 pounds. Lot code – TB1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015505096.
• Sprout Puppy 20 pounds. Lot codes – TA3 4/APRIL/2020 or TA1 5/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015505095.
• Thrifty Adult Dog Food 12 pounds. Lot codes – TI1 3/APRIL/2020, TI2 3/APRIL/2020, TI3 3/APRIL/2020 or TA2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #7015513096.
• Top Runner Premium Dog Food 50 pounds. Lot code – TB1 3/APRIL/2020. UPC – #3540650070.
• Whiskers & Tails Adult Recipe Complete Dog Food 17 pounds. Lot code – TC2 4/APRIL/2020. UPC – #2114003022.

Luckily, no illnesses have been reported due to these foods yet. Instead, Sunshine Mills recalled all these brands for precautionary measures. Only the bags listed above are affected by this recall, so other Sunshine Mills foods are still safe to use.

What to Do if You Have These Brands

The affected brands were sold all over the United States. The only exceptions to this are Principle Super Premium, which is exported to Japan, and Sportsman’s Pride Maintenance, which is exported to Japan and Colombia. All retailers who sell these products have been asked to take them off their shelves.

If you have purchased any of the recalled products, make sure you dispose of them in a place that your dogs cannot get to. You can also return any unused food to the place you bought it from to get a full refund. Also, be sure to thoroughly wipe down any surfaces that the contaminated food touched. Of course, always wash your hands after handing dog food too.

You can contact Sunshine Mills for additional questions and concerns at customer.service@sunshinemills.com or (800) 705-2111. You can only call them between 7AM and 4PM Monday through Friday.

H/T: dogfoodadvisor.com
Featured Image: @sunshinemills/Facebook