On July 29, 2021, Sunshine Mills Inc. commenced a voluntary withdrawal of specific pet food items because of the possible detection of high aflatoxin levels, surpassing the acceptable limits. The implicated dog food, marketed under the brands Triumph, Evolve, Wild Harvest, Nurture Farms, Heart to Tail Pure Being, and Elm, was made available for purchase throughout the country at different retail locations.
Find out more about this dog food recall announcement and lists of other affected products for pets that were recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and learn what to do about it if you have purchased these said dog food brands.
6 Dog Food Brands Recalled Over Aflatoxin Concerns
Before we bring you to the list of FDA recalled products of Sunshine Mills, let us first understand what Aflatoxin is, its adverse health effects related to aflatoxin poisoning, along with some illnesses associated with it once your dog consumed the affected products.
Aflatoxin is a type of toxin produced by the growth of Aspergillus flavus (mold) that can spread on ingredients used for pet meal products like nuts, corn, and other grains. [1] High levels of aflatoxin may lead to aflatoxin poisoning which causes adverse health effects like aflatoxicosis. Once consumed by pets, they may exhibit symptoms of illness like appetite loss or reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes, gums, or skin due to liver damage, diarrhea, and sluggishness, or lethargy combined. The worst part is, besides these illnesses, aflatoxin poisoning can also lead to death for pets.
Although there are no visible mold residues found on the affected products, toxins may still be present and can be very dangerous to both humans and pets. However, unlike humans who have their diets varied, animals are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of aflatoxin, and they may exhibit symptoms of illness as they generally eat the same food every day. So if your pets consumed these mold toxins, call your veterinarian immediately.
As a precautionary measure, it’s important that you know what you’re feeding to your pets. To do that, you may begin by looking through some of these dog meal products affected by the FDA recalled lots.
The succeeding reported pet food products were specifically recalled for aflatoxin-related concerns and they were distributed nationwide in different retail stores. The retailers who have these affected products in their possession have been communicated and were directed to have the recalled lots removed from their shelves and inventories. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue using them and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Here are the six recalled dog food products affected by this announcement, and were distributed in various retail stores nationally.
1. Triumph Wild Spirit Craft Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Size: 3.5 lbs. and 30 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TD2 11/Feb/2021 (3.5 lbs); Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021 (30 lbs.)
UPC Code: 073657 008736 (3.5 lbs); 073657 008750 (30 lbs.)
2. Evolve Classic Super Premium Food For Dogs Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Size: 15 lbs. and 30 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TA1 11/Feb/2021(15 lbs.); Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021(30 lbs.)
UPC Code: 073657 380320 (15 lbs.); 073657 380313 (30 lbs.)
3.Wild Harvest Premium Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Size: 14 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
UPC Code: 711535 509523
4.Nurture Farms Natural Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Size: 15 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022, Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
UPC Code: 070155 113597
5.Heart To Tail Pure Being Natural Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Size: 5 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022; Lot: TD2 11/Feb/2021
UPC Code: 4099100129441
6.Elm Pet Foods Naturals Chicken & Rice Recipe Dog Food
Size: 40 lbs.
Lot Codes: Best if used By 11 Feb 2022; Lot: TA1 11/Feb/2021
UPC Code: 070155 225221
So far, the company has not received reports of adverse health effects related to the recall. However, they have recalled the products as a “precautionary measure” for both the consumers and their pets. The company announcement reported, “There is no other Triumph, Evolve, Wild Harvest, Nurture Farms, Pure Being, or Elm products, or other lot codes of these products affected by this recall.”
Moreover as noted in the report, “Consumers who have bought the affected products should stop the use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.” They may also directly contact Sunshine Mills Inc. for more additional information about the following recalled lots and products that were distributed in different retail stores nationally.
Apart from the preceded list, we have also compiled a record list of dog food brands from 2020-2021.
Dog Food Brand Recall 2021-Full List
The following recalled pet food products from different companies were pulled out for varied reasons and were claimed to be harmful to your dog’s health.
Check this list of dog food recalls and see if the food you purchased for your dog is included in the category. For more information regarding the specific detail of the recalled products, you may click on the name of the product listed.
Announcement Date: August 13, 2021
Product Description: Frozen Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Due to elevated levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
2. Triumph, Evolve, Nature Farms, Elm, and others
Announcement Date: July 29, 2021
Product Description: Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Elevated Levels of Aflatoxin
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
3. Freshpet
Announcement Date: June 13, 2021
Product Description: Select Small Dog Bite-Size Beef & Egg Recipe Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Potential For Salmonella
Company Name: Freshpet Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
4. Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator, FRM Gold Select
Announcement Date: June 03, 2021
Product Description: Dog Food Products
Reason For Recall: Salmonella contamination
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
Announcement Date: March 27, 2021
Product Description: Dog and Cat Food
Reason For Recall: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: Midwestern Pet Foods
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
Announcement Date: March 16, 2021
Product Description: Pet food: Performance Dog, beef, green tripe, and bone
Reason For Recall: Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
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Announcement Date: March 03, 2021
Product Description: Ground Beef and Performance Dog, frozen raw pet food
Reason For Recall: Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
7. Sportmix, Nunn Better, ProPac, and Others
Announcement Date: January 11, 2021
Product Description: Dog and Cat Pet Food
Reason For Recall: Aflatoxin Levels Exceed Acceptable Levels
Company Name: Midwestern Pet Foods Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
Dog Food Brand Recall 2020-Full List
All 2020 dog food recalls are enumerated below. Again, you may click the name of the product for more detailed information.
Announcement Date: December 30, 2020
Product Description: Dog and Cat Food
Reason For Recall: Elevated levels of aflatoxin
Company Name: Sportmix
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
2. Albright’s
Announcement Date: November 13, 2020
Product Description: Raw Dog Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name: Albright’s Raw Dog Food
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
3. Champ, Field Trial, Good Dog, and Others
Announcement Date: October 08, 2020
Product Description: Pet Food
Reason For Recall: May Contain Aflatoxin
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
4. Billy+Margot Wild Kangaroo and Superfoods Recipe
Announcement Date: September 22, 2020
Product Description: Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Salmonella
Company Name: Real Pet Food Company
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
5. Family Pet, Heartland Farms, Paws Happy Life
Announcement Date: September 02, 2020
Product Description: Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Elevated levels of aflatoxin
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
Announcement Date: August 24, 2020
Product Description: Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail
Reason For Recall: Salmonella
Company Name: Sunshine Mills, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —Not Specified—
7. Redbarn, Chewy Louie, Dentley’s, and Good Lovin’
Announcement Date: March 05, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 10, 2020
Product Description: Bully Stick dog food
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name: Redbarn Pet Products, LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
8. Announcement Date: March 21, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 08, 2020
Product Description: Dog treats
Reason For Recall: Elevated Levels of Thyroid Hormone
Company Name: J.M. Smucker Company
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
9. Natural Selections and ZooLogics
Announcement Date: March 25, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 07, 2020
Product Description: Fresh raw meals for dogs
Reason For Recall: Due To Contamination Salmonella And Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli O128
Company Name: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
10. K9 Natural
Announcement Date: April 12, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 07, 2020
Product Description: Pet food
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: K9 Natural Ltd
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
11. OC Raw Dog
Announcement Date: April 20, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 06, 2020
Product Description: Chicken, Fish, & Produce Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Listeria
Company Name: OC Raw Dog, LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
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Announcement Date: April 20, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 06, 2020
Product Description: Freeze Fried Sardines
Reason For Recall: Incorrect compliance guidelines
Company Name: OC Raw Dog, LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
12. TRUDOG
Announcement Date: April 16, 2018
FDA Published Date: April 06, 2020
Product Description: Pet food-freeze dried raw beef topper
Reason For Recall: Salmonella
Company Name: TruPet, LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
Announcement Date: May 23, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 27, 2020
Product Description: Beef dog treat varieties
Reason For Recall: Ingredient Level
Company Name: Merrick Pet Care
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
14. Dave’s Pet Food
Announcement Date: June 12, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 25, 2020
Product Description: 95% Premium beef cans
Reason For Recall: Due to Potentially Raised Levels of Thyroid Hormone
Company Name: Dave’s Pet Food
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
15. G & C Raw, Kim’s Special, Pat’s Cat, and more
Announcement Date: August 02, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 23, 2020
Product Description: Ground Lamb Dog Food and Ground Turkey Cat Food
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: G & C Raw LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
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Announcement Date: August 31, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 19, 2020
Product Description: Raw dog and cat food
Reason For Recall: Listeria
Company Name: G & C Raw LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
16. Icelandic+
Announcement Date: March 19, 2020
FDA Published Date: March 23, 2020
Product Description: Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats
Reason For Recall: Potential for Clostridium botulinum
Company Name: IcelandicPlus LLC
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
17. Performance Dog
Announcement Date: September 12, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 19, 2020
Product Description: frozen raw pet food
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
Announcement Date: September 07, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 19, 2020
Product Description: Pet food
Reason For Recall: Due to Possible Salmonella and L. Mono Contamination
Company Name: Steve’s Real Food
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
19. Orlando
Announcement Date: November 06, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 16, 2020
Product Description: Chicken and Chickpea dog food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Raised Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Lidl US
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
20. Evolve, Sportsman’s Pride, and Triumph
Announcement Date: November 26, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 16, 2020
Product Description: Dry Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Raised Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Sunshine Mills Inc.
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
21. Nutrisca
Announcement Date: November 02, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 16, 2020
Product Description: Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Nutrisca
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
22. Natural Life
Announcement Date: November 09, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 16, 2020
Product Description: Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Natural Life Pet Products
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
23. Columbia River Natural Pet Foods
Announcement Date: December 04, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 11, 2020
Product Description: Frozen meat product for dogs and cats
Reason For Recall: Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name: Columbia River Natural Pet Foods
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
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Announcement Date: December 21, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 11, 2020
Product Description: Dog and Cat fresh frozen meats
Reason For Recall: Due to Possible Salmonella and L. Mono Contamination
Company Name: Columbia River Natural Pet Foods
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
24. Abound
Announcement Date: December 05, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 11, 2020
Product Description: Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe dog food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Raised Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: Abound
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
&
Announcement Date: December 05, 2018
FDA Published Date: March 11, 2020
Product Description: Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe dog food
Reason For Recall: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Company Name: The Kroger Company
Terminated Recall Status: —TERMINATED—
What To Do?
Upon knowing the above “recalled” products, consumers are advised to stop using the following pet meal products for their pets:
- Elm Pet Foods Naturals Chicken & Rice Recipe Dog Food
- Heart To Tail Pure Being Natural Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Nurture Farms Natural Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Wild Harvest Premium Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Evolve Classic Super Premium Food For Dogs Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
- Triumph Wild Spirit Craft Dog Food Deboned Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
If your pets exhibit symptoms of (mold) aflatoxin poisoning such as loss of appetite (reluctance to eat), yellowish tint to the eyes, gums, or skin due to liver damage, sluggishness, or lethargy combined, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, contact a veterinarian immediately. It may also be helpful to take a picture of the food label or other lot codes and provide a full diet history of your dog to the veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any current dog food recalls?
The Food and Drug https://www.wellpet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Featured-Image-Kyoto-Subways.jpgistration has released a list of dog food recall for this recent year. The dog food label included in the recall include the following:
- Simply Nourish
- Freshpet
- Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator, FRM Gold Select
- Bravo Packing, Inc.
- Sportmix, Nunn Better, ProPac, and Others
Other than the above-recalled products, Sunshine Mills Voluntarily recalls food products with the brand name Triumph, Evolve, Wild Harvest, Nurture Farms, Heart to Tail Pure Being, and Elm products. If in case you have purchased the recent list of recalled products mentioned above, you may return the unused portion and ask for a full refund to the place where you purchased them.
Which dog food is killing dogs?
Sportmix brand dry kibble was reported to kill more than two dozen dogs due to a high level of aflatoxin, according to the Food and Drug https://www.wellpet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Featured-Image-Kyoto-Subways.jpgistration. This has initiated the expanded dog food recall for 2021 of food products for pets like Pro Pac, Splash, Nunn, and Sports trail labels.
If you see any of these products or other lot codes still being distributed or sold in your place, you should know that the U.S. citizens can now report complaints about FDA-related pet food products by contacting the consumer complaint coordinator in your local area or visit the FDA’s “Report a Pet Food Complaint” page.
What dog treats are on recall?
The dog treats that are being recalled include Family Pet® Meaty Cuts Beef, Chicken & Cheese flavors of premium dog food, Paws Happy Life® Butcher’s Choice dog food, and Heartland Farms® Grilled Favorites, Beef, Chicken & Cheese flavors because of high levels of mold by-product.
If you notice any signs of mold-related poisoning on your dogs like having the reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint in the eyes, gums, or skin, and diarrhea, reach out to your veterinarian right away.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned or a new pet owner, you need to be mindful of your pets along with the dog foods and treats that you purchase for them as they may contain high amounts of harmful compounds that may cause your dog to be ill. Always look out for any dog food recall announcements coming from the Food and Drug https://www.wellpet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Featured-Image-Kyoto-Subways.jpgistration. You may also consider feeding your dog natural dog food to prevent the risks from commercialized dog foods.
