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The United States Food & Drug Administration announced that Sunshine Mills, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of certain dog food products due to levels of aflatoxin that are potentially above the acceptable limit. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. Those quantities were not released.

The potential for aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit in these products was discovered by routine sampling performed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry showing that a sample of a single four-pound bag of one lot of the product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. According to the statement, no illnesses have been reported in association with these products as of September 2 and no other Sunshine Mills, Inc. pet food products are affected by the announcement.

“While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, Sunshine Mills, Inc. has chosen to issue a voluntary recall of these products as a precautionary measure in furtherance of its commitment to the safety and quality of its products,” stated the announcement. “Pets that have consumed any of the recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.”

The affected products were distributed in retail stores nationally. Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves.  The FDA states there are no other Family Pet®, Heartland Farms® or Paws Happy Life® products or other lot codes of these products affected by this precautionary recall.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the FDA. Consumers may contact Sunshine Mills, Inc. Customer Service at 800-705-2111 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com for additional information.

This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Products affected by this announcement include:

FAMILY PET® MEATY CUTS BEEF CHICKEN & CHEESE FLAVORS PREMIUM DOG FOOD 4 Lb., lot/UPC codes TD3 4/APRIL/2020, TD1 5/APRIL/2020, 3225120694; 14 Lb.    lot/UPC codes TB1 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020, TB3 3/APRIL/2020, 3225118078; 28 Lb. lot/UPC codes TB3 3/APRIL/2020, 3225120694

HEARTLAND FARMS® GRILLED FAVORITES BEEF CHICKEN & CHEESE FLAVOR 14 Lb. lot/UPC codes TB1 4/APRIL/2020, TB2 4/APRIL/2020, 7015514299; 31 Lb. lot/UPC codes TA2 4/APRIL/2020, TA3 4/APRIL/2020, 7015514301

PAWS HAPPY LIFE® BUTCHER’S CHOICE DOG FOOD 16 Lb. lot/UPC codes TA1 4/APRIL/2020, TA2 4/APRIL/2020, 3680035763

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