Sunshine Mills’ Dog Food Recall

Sunshine Mills, Inc., a producer of pet food products under various labels, has issued a voluntary recall of multiple lots of three existing dry food products. They instituted the recall as of September 2, 2020.

The affected products have potential aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus that can grow on various pet food ingredients. In 2020, Midwestern pet food also issued a dog food recall because some of its products had potential aflatoxin contamination.

Which Dry Food Products Are Under Recall?

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing the voluntary recall, but the affected products are under differing company names. The included brands are Family Pet, Heartland Farms, and Paws Happy Life. A comprehensive list of the recalled product lots is as follows:

• Family Pet® Meaty Cuts Beef Chicken and Cheese Flavors Premium Dog Food
  Size: 4lbs
  Lot Codes: TD3 4/April/2020 and TD1 5/April/2020
  UPC Code: 3225120694
• Family Pet® Meaty Cuts Beef Chicken and Cheese Flavors Premium Dog Food
  Size: 14lbs
  Lot Codes: TB1 4/April/2020, TB2 4/April/2020, TB3 3/April/2020
  UPC Code: 3225118078
• Family Pet® Meaty Cuts Beef Chicken and Cheese Flavors Premium Dog Food
  Size: 28 lbs
  Lot Code: TB3 3/April/2020
  UPC Code: 3225120694
• Heartland Farmers® Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken and Cheese Flavor
  Size: 14 lbs
  Lot Code: TB1 4/April/2020, TB2 4/April/2020
  UPC Code: 7015514299
• Heartland Farmers® Grilled Favorites Beef Chicken and Cheese Flavor
  Size: 31 lbs
  Lot Code: TA2 4/April/2020, TA3 4/April/2020
  UPC Code: 7015514301
• Paws Happy Life® Butcher’s Choice Dog Food
  Size: 16 lbs
  Lot Code: TA1 4/April/2020, TA2 4/April/2020
  UPC Code: 3680035763

What Started The Dog Food Recall?

Sunshine Mills Inc. proceeded with the recall due to potential aflatoxin contamination. During a routine production check, they found that the product contained elevated aflatoxin levels considered unacceptable.

If a pet consumes food that contains aflatoxins, the toxins have the potential to accumulate over time. It is a concern for most pets as they continue to eat the same food daily with minimal variety.

What Should I Do With The Food? Should I Be Concerned About My Dog?

Due to potential adverse reactions in dogs of any size, immediately stop feeding the recalled food to your dog. Aflatoxin poisoning can cause liver damage that goes undetected due to lack of symptoms. Contact your veterinarian if you have been feeding your dog any of the listed products to ensure they are aware of the situation. Then return the food to the original purchase location for a full refund. Proceed with sanitizing any food scoops, bowls, feeding toys, or storage containers that may have contained the food at one time.

What Do I Need To Know About Aflatoxin Poisoning?

Aflatoxin poisoning in dogs may come with various symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and yellowish tint to their eyes, gums, or skin due to liver damage. Since liver damage does not always come with any symptoms, it can occasionally result in death if left untreated. That is why it is necessary to report any changes to your veterinarian.

There has been no evidence that humans who come in contact with pet food containing aflatoxins are at risk of aflatoxin poisoning. However, you should always wash your hands after handling edible pet products such as food and treats to be safe.

How To Contact Sunshine Mills, Inc.

If consumers wish to contact the company directly with any questions or concerns, they can be reached at 1-800-705-2111 from 7 AM to 4 PM CT, Monday through Friday. Or by email at [email protected].

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your local area. You may also go to the FDA’s “Report a Pet Food Complaint” page.
For a list of dog food recall alerts, click here.