After issuing an initial recall in September, Sunshine Mills has now expanded its recall to include even more dog foods that may have aflatoxin levels higher than the acceptable limits set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring mold by-product that grows from aspergillus favus. It can be harmful to pets if consumed in “significant quantities.” Pets that have aflatoxin toxicity may show signs of illness that include sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowing tint to the eyes or gums, diarrhea, and, in some instances, death. Pets that display these symptoms should seek treatment from a veterinarian.

The affected dog food was produced from April 3-5 and sold at retail stores in the U.S. Some brands were exclusively distributed in Japan and Columbia. Retailers have been asked to remove the product from their store shelves.

The dog food affected by the recall includes:

  • 12-pound bags of CHAMP MINI CHUNK DOG FOOD BEEF AND CHICKEN FLAVOR with a lot code of TC2 3/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7328315416.
  • 16-pound bags of FIELD TRIAL COMPLETE NUTRITION PREMIUM DOG FOOD with a lot code of TC2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015514530.
  • 50-pound bags of GOOD DOG BRAND DOG FOOD HI-ENERGY FORMULA with a lot code of TA1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 5216624165.
  • 50-pound bags of HUNTER’S SPECIAL DOG FOOD HI ENERGY FORMULA with lot codes of TA1 5/APRIL/2020, TA2 5/APRIL/2020, and TA3 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015510145.
  • 50-pound bags of HUNTER’S SPECIAL DOG FOOD MAINTENANCE FORMULA with lot codes of TB3 4/APRIL/2020 and TB1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015510135.
  • 50-pound bags of HUNTER’S SPECIAL FARM & RANCH RECIPE SUPER CHUNKS DOG FOOD with lot codes of TC2 5/APRIL/2020 and TC3 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015510182.
  • 4-pound bags of OLD GLORY DOG FOOD HEARTY BEEF & CHICKEN FLAVOR with lot codes of TE3 3/APRIL/2020 and TE2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015514339.
  • 12.75-pound bags of OLD GLORY DOG FOOD HEARTY BEEF & CHICKEN FLAVOR with lot codes of TA3 3/APRIL/2020, TB1 3/APRIL/2020, TC1 3/APRIL/2020, TC2 3/APRIL/2020, TC3 3/APRIL/2020, TA1 4/APRIL/2020, TC1 4/APRIL/2020, TA2 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020, and TC2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015514298.
  • 17-pound bags of PAWS HAPPY LIFE NUTRITIONALLY COMPLETE DOG FOOD with a lot code of TC2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 3680042561.
  • 50-pound bags of PET EXPERT ALWAYS FIT FORMULA with a lot code of TC2 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 5208887976.
  • 40-pound bags of PRINCIPLE SUPER PREMIUM NATURAL DOG FOOD BREEDER PACK with lot codes of TA3 4/APRIL/2020 and TA1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 580179586032.
  • 52-pound bags of RETRIEVER BITES & BONES ADULT COMPLETE NUTRITION SAVORY CHICKEN FLAVOR with lot codes of TC3 4/APRIL/2020 and TC1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 4939422642.
  • 40-pound bags of RIVER BEND DOG FOOD BASIC NUTRITION with a lot code of TC1 5/APRIL/2020. No UPC code was available.
  • 50-pound bags of RIVER BEND DOG FOOD BASIC NUTRITION with a lot code of TC1 5/APRIL/2020. No UPC code was available.
  • 50-pound bags of RIVER BEND DOG FOOD SELECT with a lot code of TB3 4/APRIL/2020. No UPC code was available.
  • 20-pound bags of SPORTSMAN’S PRIDE MAINTENANCE ADULT FORMULA DOG FOOD with a lot code of TB1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015510082.
  • 50-pound bags of SPORTSMAN’S PRIDE MAINTENANCE ADULT FORMULA DOG FOOD with a lot code of TB1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015510110.
  • 50-pound bags of SPROUT BITES & BONES with a lot code of TC2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015505091.
  • 20-pound bags of SPROUT HI-PROTEIN with lot codes of TI2 4/APRIL/2020 and TI3 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 70155505120.
  • 40-pound bags of SPROUT HI-PROTEIN with a lot code of TI3 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015505119.
  • 40-pound bags of SPROUT MAINTENANCE with a lot code of TB1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015505096.
  • 20-pound bags of SPROUT PUPPY with lot codes of TA3 4/APRIL/2020 and TA1 5/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 015505095.
  • 12-pound bags of THRIFTY ADULT DOG FOOD with lot codes of TI1 3/APRIL/2020, TI2 3/APRIL/2020, TI3 3/APRIL/2020, and TA2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 7015513096.
  • 50-pound bags of TOP RUNNER PREMIUM DOG FOOD with a lot code of TB1 3/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 3540650070.
  • 17-pound bags of WHISKERS & TAILS ADULT RECIPE COMPLETE DOG FOOD with a lot code of TC2 4/APRIL/2020 and a UPC code of 2114003022.

Labels of the recalled dog food can be viewed here.

Consumers should discontinue feeding the recalled dog food to their pets. The unused portion of the product can be returned to its original place of purchase for a full refund. Questions about the recall can be directed to Sunshine Mills customer service at 1-800-705-2111, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com.

The FDA discovered the issue with the Sunshine Mills pet food after an investigation. The agency determined that corn from a single load had elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Sunshine Mills said it issued the voluntary recall as a “precautionary measure.” The company has not received any reports of illness from the recalled dog food. No other pet food products have been affected by the recall.

A Yorkshire Terrier waits for judging at the Crufts dog show in Birmingham
A Yorkshire Terrier waits for judging at the Crufts dog show in Birmingham. Reuters
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