Three Dog Foods Recalled

You know that I strive to maintain a healthy variety of pet food on my site. I specially pick companies that give dogs and cats the healthy choices necessary for a happy and active pet life. One of the criteria Dr. Fox has taught me is to avoid genetically engineered grains. Last week three dog foods were recalled due to growth of corn mold in the dog food-growth that could have been avoided by avoiding these engineered grains.

Proctor & Gamble and the U.S. Food and Drug administration announced on Dec 6, 2011 that one lot of P&G's Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food is being recalled due to high levels of the extremely toxic mold, aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin is a by-product from the growth of the corn mold Aspergillus flavus, which is now especially prevalent in herbicide resistant genetically engineered corn which should be carefully tested for contamination ideally soon after harvesting and after storage just prior to inclusion on pet foods and livestock feed.

According to the FDA, the recalled IAMS dog food was distributed to specific retailers in the following states: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA. Specific retailers are not named, and it is not clear how many bags are contaminated. in the recall notice, but the FDA states that it is a limited number. It is also unclear how many bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dog food is included in one lot. The recalled dog food has a use by or expiration date of either February 5 or February 6, 2013. Consumers who purchased the recalled Iams dry dog food should stop using it and return it to the store. They can also call P&G at 866-908-1569.

Cargill Inc. reported that corn containing higher-than-acceptable levels of aflatoxin was delivered to their plant in LeCompte, La. After routine testing by Louisiana state regulators found that some of Cargill’s own tests had been underestimating aflatoxin levels (Star Tribune, Dec 8, 2011), Cargill reported the problem to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is recalling all River Run and Marksman dry dog food manufactured at the LA plant between Dec.1, 2010, and Dec.1, 2011, now on the market in 13 states: KA,MO,OK,AR,LA,MI,TN,KY,IND,IL, HI, FL,CA, Guam and the Virgin Islands. If you have questions, call Cargill’s hotline at 1-855-460-1532.

In response to these recalls, I am offering a 15% discount on all of my pet food at TwoBitDog.com. Use the promotion code: MYZWU. This offer will expire 1/1/2012.