FDA Suspects Midwestern Pet Foods are Linked to Deaths 

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to the Midwestern Pet Foods stating its foods may be linked to over 130 pet deaths. The warning comes after the brand recalled a number of its pet food products in January due to the FDA finding high levels of aflatoxins, which can cause illnesses and even death.

Midwestern Pet Foods added additional products to its recall list in March after Salmonella contaminations were discovered. Following the site inspections of the brand’s facilities, the food and drug administration found evidence of violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals regulation.

Steven M. Solomon, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said that the inspections of Midwestern Pet Foods manufacturing plants revealed evidence of violations, which were shared across multiple plants and were associated with the illness or death of hundreds of pets who had eaten the company’s dry dog food. FDA informed of over 130 pet deaths and 220 pet illnesses as of Aug. 9, though these numbers are approximations.

The company hasn’t responded at this time. The recall notice said Salmonella could affect animals eating the products and humans are at risk from handling contaminated pet products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. The recall said that the infected otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If the pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately.