If you go to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine website, you’ll find dozens of pet food recalls over the past year. For example, in 2021, media across the country reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said more than 130 dog deaths had occurred and hundreds more puppies had become ill after eating dog food. pet food from a manufacturer.
The pet food maker had received a warning letter from the FDA after inspections revealed “apparent violations” of federal law that were shared among its factories. The company has issued a voluntary recall of “specific expiration dates for certain brands of dog and cat food” because “they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella”.
Most, fortunately, are not as severe as this case, but it highlights the fact that knowing how to respond to reminders and how to be aware of them is necessary for the responsible pet owner.
Reminders and what to do
So how are pet products recalled and how can you make sure your dog doesn’t fall victim to problematic or contaminated pet food?
“Recalls occur when a product is deemed by the FDA to be in violation of its laws,” says Anne Norris of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “This automatically initiates legal action.” She says recalls happen in three ways: the company withdraws the product on its own after finding problems, by formal request from the FDA, or by an order from the FDA under the mandatory recall authority of the agency.
Anne says the recalls fall into three categories. Class I is a situation where there is a high probability that use of or exposure to a product will result in serious health consequences or death. Class II is when a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems or when the likelihood of serious consequences is low. Class III is a situation where the product in question is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
Dana Brooks, president and CEO of the nonprofit Pet Food Institute (PFI), says the FDA has never imposed a mandatory recall. The PFI is made up of members who are pet food and treat manufacturers across the United States.
“Most recalls occur when a company identifies a problem in the manufacturing process that may lead to a problem, such as a mislabeled product or an imbalance of ingredients,” she says, pointing out that most food manufacturers pets have a safety plan that regularly assesses and identifies safety risks that may occur, such as bacterial contamination due to Salmonella or E coli.
Getting callback information is easy
With the World Wide Web at your fingertips, knowing about pet food recalls has never been easier. The FDA works with industry and state partners to issue press releases and other public notices to try to provide timely information to pet owners. The government agency only announces Class I or Class II recalls to the public. Fortunately, the FDA makes it easy to find the latest recalls. You can sign up on its website to receive email alerts.
As for the manufacturers themselves, says Dana, “they are required to publicly share the dog or cat food recall, which means they must contact their ingredient suppliers, distributors, retailers and all customers from their database”.
“Most recalls occur when a company identifies a problem in the manufacturing process that may lead to a problem, such as a mislabeled product or an ingredient imbalance.”
If your dog’s food is recalled
If you discover that your dog’s food or treats have been recalled, government experts advise to stop giving the product away immediately and check the lot number and UPC code on the label to confirm if your specific bag does. part of the recall. (All recalls on the FDA website list exact UPCs and lot codes.)
If so, monitor your dog carefully for any symptoms. Symptoms of food poisoning for dogs are very similar to those of humans: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, dehydration, nausea, and occasional blood. This can be life threatening, especially in dogs that are very young, old, or have weakened immune systems.
PFI experts also suggest calling the pet food company directly for advice on what to do next. The retailer where you purchased the food should also have information on how to handle the recall and your concerns.
Be an advocate for your pooch
Of course, you don’t have to wait for a callback if you’re concerned about the pet food you bought. Dana says most of its members accept customer complaints and concerns about just about anything, including issues like unsealed packages, strange odors, or symptoms your dog exhibits after eating the product. question. “When a food fails to meet expectations, this information helps them identify trends and possible food safety issues,” she says. “It helps them improve product quality.”
If you find the company unresponsive, the FDA has a page on its website where consumers and veterinarians can submit concerns about pet food products, which FDA officials are investigating ( www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov).
Some things you can do at home, especially with regards to reducing bacterial infections, are to inspect the packaging (box, bag, or other) to make sure it hasn’t been damaged and opened. in any way. Wash your hands, clean the food preparation area before and after use, and always wash your dog’s food and water bowls regularly. Refrigerate leftover wet food and make sure dry food is sealed and stored. You don’t want mice, bugs, or your dog getting in there.
Pet Food Recall Facts
Since the start of 2018, the FDA has recalled 134 pet food brands, with 19 recalls since the start of 2021. The numbers have held steady each year, even as the pet food market explodes with more and more new brands on store shelves. .
The recalled manufacturers involved range from some of the most well-known foods and companies to smaller, lesser-known brands. In reviewing FDA data, many recalls are due to Salmonella and Listeria contaminants as well as high levels of vitamin D. Infertility issues are also cited as a factor. Many recalls have been issued by the companies themselves.
Dana believes that transparency is a requirement for manufacturers in the pet food industry. With a more savvy consumer base and the humanization of pets as family members, “pet owners increasingly want more information and reassurance from their brands favorites,” she said. “[Manufacturers] need to talk about their food safety culture so that pet owners feel confident when preparing the bowl at mealtimes.
As dog owners, FDA officials say we have a right to expect the food we give our pets to be safe. After all, it’s the least we can do to help our furry family members live long, healthy lives.
Protect your dog: get informed!
To view the latest pet food recalls: fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals
To receive FDA alerts on pet food recalls: public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/subscriber/new
To submit a concern to the FDA: fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint