California Pet Owners Concerned Following the Recall of Pet Food Products Linked to Multiple Animal Illnesses and Fatalities

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently published an alert over contamination concerns in certain lots of cat and dog pet food products due to potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin that can be produced by a type of mold known as Aspergillus flavus. The mold can grow on corn and other grains commonly used as ingredients in pet food.

According to the FDA, pets experiencing aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellow tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage) and/or diarrhea. In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some circumstances, pets may suffer liver damage, but show no symptoms.

The pet food manufacturer has announced a recall of various lots of several products that potentially have levels of aflatoxin that exceed acceptable limits. The products were distributed nationally to online distributors and retail stores. Pet owners are being advised to not feed the recalled products to pets or any other animals and to destroy the products in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them. They are also advised to wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups and storage containers.

“Unfortunately, the FDA is aware of at least 80 illnesses in pets that ate the product,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “Animal feed manufacturers are required to conduct a hazard analysis that identifies potential hazards within the manufacturing process and provide evidence of consistent monitoring and preventive controls for mycotoxins. At LA Testing, our network of laboratories work with manufacturers, retailers, importers, exporters, government regulators, veterinarians and the public to identify the presence of a wide range of mycotoxins in animal feed and even human foods.”

To learn more about mycotoxins or other microbial testing of animal feed, foods, beverages and consumer products, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail