FDA issues warning to pet food company after 130+ animal deaths

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— Federal officials say a company that manufactures several brands of pet foods likely caused hundreds of animals to become ill or die.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday it issued a warning to Midwestern Pet Foods, saying the company’s food safety program is inadequate.

The FDA said it found salmonella and toxic levels of a substance called aflatoxin – a byproduct of mold that can grow on corn and grains used in pet foods, in Midwestern’s products. As of Aug. 9, the agency says it knows of more than 130 pet deaths and 220 pet illnesses that may be linked to its SPORTMiX brand.

The company previously recalled several pet foods at its Illinois facility back in March, and in December of 2020 the same company issued a recall of food made in an Oklahoma facility.

FDA compliance officers told the company that a recall alone is not enough to prevent more tainted food from entering the animal food supply. The company has 15 days to respond.