A Closer Look at Recent Pet Food Recalls

Complaints with the FDA regarding pet and other animal feed have risen.

Kristen Kazarian, Managing Editor

July 18, 2024

5 Min Read
Animal food recalls are increasing
Recent animal food recalls cover a variety of pets as well as livestock.studiogstock/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

For many, dogs, cats, and birds are children. And the land some farm with cattle, horses, goats, and more, are either part of a living wage, or at least a major investment. The feed we give to these animals must be true to the packaging, true to the company, and good for the animals eating it.

In 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls for 13 pet food products, reflecting a concerning trend compared to previous years. By mid-year, we've already approached the total number of recalls seen throughout the entirety of 2023, when there were 16 recalls in total. This surge raises questions about the safety and oversight of pet food production in the US.

Elevated Complaints and Concerns

January 2024 alone saw a staggering 971 complaints filed with the FDA, underscoring growing concerns among pet owners. Many of these complaints centered around Purina products, with over 90% of reports mentioning this brand. Reports ranged from minor issues to severe health problems such as bleeding, vomiting blood, and seizures, which were allegedly linked to Purina Pro Plan pet food. Despite these alarming claims, no formal recall was initiated by the FDA.

In the same month, Purina ProPlan dry pet food was said to have made dozens of dogs and cats sick. The FDA urged pet owners or their veterinarians to submit reports of illness or other events associated with pet food by emailing them at How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

However, Purina refuted "online rumors" that have raised safety concerns about its Pro Plan pet food, after some social media accounts alleged that the pet food maker's products had sickened hundreds of animals, mostly dogs but also cats, CBS reported. Posters said dogs had seizures, diarrhea and vomiting, with some allegedly dying, which the pet owners claimed occurred after the pets ate Purina Pro Plan food.

"The pet symptoms provided in the FDA report ranged from minor to many very serious," the FDA responded to Truth About Pet Food. "Many pet owners reported their pets were bleeding from the rectum, vomiting blood, and many pet owners reported seizures."

The FDA did not recall the product, and nothing came of the hundreds of claims.

Back in March 2023, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental prescription dog food was recalled by the company due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D toxicity can happen in dogs, but it is unsure if this was the reason for the 2024 complaints.

2024 Recall Details

This year's recalls have included products contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria, affecting a range of animals from dogs and cats to hedgehogs and parrots. Notably, only one raw dog food product was recalled due to Salmonella, prompting discussions about the relative safety of raw versus dry pet foods.

Key Companies and Products Recalled

Among the companies affected by recalls in 2024 are major names such as Mars Petcare (Pedigree brand), which faced issues with loose metal pieces in their dog food, and ADM Animal Nutrition, which recalled multiple feed products due to elevated mineral levels that could harm livestock.

Here is the breakdown:

  • Blue Ridge Beef kitten and puppy food – potential contamination of both Salmonella and Listeria

  • 3-D Pet Products parrot food – potential Salmonella contamination

  • ADM Animal Nutrition (PenPals, MoorMan’s, ShowTec, SeniorGlo, MaxLean, Growstrong, Rough Buster, Patriot, Goat Power, Juniorglo, Rack Plus, and MotivAte brands) for Chicken Feed, Swine Feed, Cattle Feed, Horse Feed – could contain increased levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and/or phosphorus (which could kill livestock if levels are off) with 3 separate recalls

  • Cargill (Nutrena Country Feeds brand) meat bird food – doesn’t include Vitamin D

  • Mars Petcare (Pedigree brand) dog food – potential of loose metal pieces

  • Barkworthies, Best Bully Sticks – may contain metal fragments

  • Vitakraft Sun Seed (Sunseed Vita Prima brand) hedgehog food – potential of Salmonella with 2 recalls

  • Viva raw dog and cat food – possibility of Listeria contamination

Two others were in the animal/veterinary drug category:

  • Hospira Buprenorphine Hydrochloride Injection Carpuject Units and Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection, USP Carpuject Units – possible packaging defect

  • Sagent Docetaxel Injection, USP – potential of particulate matter

Regulatory Oversight and Concerns

The FDA, responsible for overseeing the safety of animal food just as rigorously as human food, emphasizes adherence to strict guidelines to ensure products are safe and accurately labeled. Despite these efforts, questions linger about the effectiveness of current oversight practices, particularly in light of increasing recalls since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, an entire section on the agency’s website states: “The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) requires that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms.” 

This includes sections on about the same things as for human food: ingredients, labeling (where many states offer a second regulation), inspections/compliance, etc. FDA also cites various guidance documents for manufacturers and suppliers, as well as additional information for consumers.

When making a complaint about pet food, please include this information:

  • Manufacturer

  • Exact name of the product and product description (as stated on the product label)

  • Type of container (e.g. box, bag, can, pouch, etc.)

  • Product intended to be refrigerated, frozen, or stored at room temperature

  • Lot number - This number is often hard to find and difficult to read.  It is stamped onto the product packaging and typically includes a combination of letters and numbers, and is always in close proximity to the best by/before or expiration date

  • Best by, best before, or expiration date

  • UPC code (bar code)

  • Net weight

  • Purchase date and exact location where purchased

  • Results of any laboratory testing performed on the pet food product

  • How the food was stored, prepared, and handled

Also needed is a product description. Does it have a bad smell or is it off color? Does the original container swollen or leaking? Was foreign material found in the food?

Visit the FDA website for more on how to report a pet food complaint.

Conclusion

As pet owners and veterinarians remain vigilant in reporting issues to the FDA, the rising number of pet food recalls underscores the importance of robust safety protocols throughout the production and distribution chain. While recalls do not inherently indicate substandard practices — often reflecting proactive testing measures — they nevertheless highlight areas where improvements are crucial to safeguarding the health of pets nationwide.

About the Author

Kristen Kazarian

Managing Editor

Kristen Kazarian has been a writer and editor for more than three decades. She has worked at several consumer magazines and B2B publications in the fields of food and beverage, packaging, processing, women's interest, local news, health and nutrition, fashion and beauty, automotive, and IT.

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