American food manufacturer J.M. Smucker Company recently announced a voluntary recall for one lot of its Natural Balance brand Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula canned cat food because the products may be contaminated with elevated levels of choline chloride. 

Choline Chloride is a crystalline ammonium salt that is used to promote animal growth in feed products, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. 

Consuming products with elevated levels of choline chloride can cause excessive salivation, constricted pupils and poor vision, diarrhea or vomiting, tremors, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, possible cardiac or respiratory failure, and death in extreme situations, J.M. Smucker said in a company announcement posted July 3 to the US Food and Drug Administration’s website.

The impacted lot has a lot code of 9217803 and a “Best If Used By” date of 08 04 2021. Those in possession of the possibly tainted products are urged to contact their veterinarians immediately if cats display any symptoms of excessive choline chloride exposure. 

J.M. Smucker said it has received reports of adverse reactions. The FDA is cooperating with the company to conduct the recall.