Kent Nutrition Group Inc. has recalled some Kent Feeds swine feed products because of insufficient vitamin D levels in a premix it purchased from Tri Ag Supply Inc., according to the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamin D3 deficiency can alter calcium and phosphorus metabolism and affect bone mineralization, the agency said. Signs of the deficiency can take four to six months to appear in pigs, the FDA reported. The signs in mature pigs include poor growth, stiffness, lameness, stiff gait and broken or fractured bones. In young pigs, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, which is characterized by weak bending bones and rear leg problems and may lead to death, the FDA said. Swine exposed to natural sunlight or vitamin D3 supplements may not be affected, according to the agency. Kent received reports of deaths and rickets in swine that may have consumed Kent Feeds swine products containing the vitamin-deficient ingredients from Tri-Ag, the FDA said. The affected products were sold in 50-pound bags or in bulk, with lot numbers 09335 through 09365 and 10001 through 10158. Lot numbers for bagged products can be found at the sewn end of the bag; for bulk products the lot numbers are listed on shipping labels and invoices, the FDA said. The lots were sold by feed retailers in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Hampshire and Texas. Customers can return the recalled feed to the dealer. Anyone with questions is asked to call Kent at 800-552-9620, ext. 4541, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Kent Nutrition Group is based in Muscatine, Iowa, and Tri Ag Supply in Harvard, Ill.
