A Louisiana store, Petrus Feed & Seed, voluntarily recalled several lots of dry dog food because they contained aflatoxin above acceptable levels. The food was manufactured at a Cargill plant in LeCompte, La., between Dec. 1, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2011. The recall applies to 21 percent Protein Dog Food, packaged in 40-pound Petrus Feed bags with packaging date codes 4K1011 through 4K1335. The affected dry dog food was sold at Petrus Feed & Seed in Alexandria, La. No adverse health effects related to the food have been reported, and Petrus said it implemented the recall as a precaution. The company urged consumers to return any recalled food to the store for a full refund, regardless of whether the bags are opened or unopened. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold byproduct. Pets that consumed the recalled product and showed signs of sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, a yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian, the company said. Wet weather in the Midwest and central United States may have contributed to several companies recalling dry dog food in December because of heightened aflatoxin levels, including Cargill Animal Nutrition, Procter and Gamble and Advanced Animal Nutrition. Wet conditions can stress corn, creating an ideal environment for aflatoxin to grow, according to Tina Wismer, DVM, medical director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Animal Poison Control Center. <HOME>
