Source: http://www.hy-vee.com/company/press-room/recalls/dog-food-recall.aspx
WEST DES MOINES, IA – Hy-Vee, Inc. today issued a voluntary recall of certain bags of Hy-Vee dog food due to elevated levels of a chemical contaminant commonly found in corn.
Routine random tests conducted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture indicated higher-than-normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples of Hy-Vee dog food produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet, LLC.
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. Pets which have consumed this product 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 consultant a veterinarian.
The recalled products carry three different “Best By” dates and were distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin between October 26, 2012 and January 11, 2013.
The following products are subject to the recall:
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 34-lb.
UPC: 07545005647
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
“Best By” Date: 11/24/13
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 8-lb
UPC: 07545005667
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
“Best By” Date: 11/24/13
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005665
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
“Best By” Date: 11/24/13
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005665
Lot # ending with: 29912KC
“Best By” Date: 11/25/13
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) – 20-lb.
UPC: 07545005680
Lot # ending with: 29312KC
“Best By” Date: 11/19/13
Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005560
Lot # ending with: 29312KC
“Best By” Date: 11/19/13
The recall is limited to the products, sizes and code dates listed above. No other Hy-Vee dog food products or code dates are affected by the recall.
Customers are urged to check the “Best By” dates on any product they have at home and refrain from feeding any of the recalled products to their pets. Any bags of Hy-Vee dog food subject to the recall, whether opened or unopened, may be returned to Hy-Vee stores for a full refund.
Hy-Vee officials emphasized the recall is voluntary and only conducted as a precautionary measure. No illnesses have been reported in dogs consuming the product, and the product does not pose a health risk to humans handling it. Hy-Vee officials have also removed all potentially affected products from Hy-Vee stores.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-289-8343. This number is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.
Sunny Braley
February 23, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Why would anyone buy a dog or cat food with corn or wheat in it? This still amazes me.
Peter
February 23, 2013 at 1:35 pm
There are many reasons for that, and it is disturbing how little (well, often none) “research” consumers put into purchasing pet foods. The “trust” is not valid and certainly not earned.
When consumers buy grain-based pet foods, their pets are taking a 6-way hit at every meal: 1) the excessive carbohydrate load; 2) the molds that are inevitably present owing to long-term storage of low quality grain ingredients; 3) the “storage mites” that feed on these grains (who spend their entire life cycle in the storage silo, and which means your pet eats their feces and dead bodies); 4) the aflatoxins that the molds secrete to protect themselves from predators (the storage mites); 5) the anti-fungal agents the manufacturer needs to add, to combat these fungi; and 6) the pesticides the manufacturer adds to combat the storage mites and other insects. All this becomes part of the daily diet for the unfortunate pets who are forced to eat the grain-based foods, every day of their lives.
Lynn
February 23, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Because their vets are recommending/selling it. Because it is what is in the grocery stores and they just don’t know better. Because they go into pet stores and that is what is recommended. What we need are T shirts to wear every where that say “I can tell you the about the truth about pet food.” I wear shirts all the time for other things I am involved in and get asked about them quite often.
KC
July 11, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Why buy? usually because pet owners in low income areas can’t afford to buy the pricier pet foods. In my area people are abandoning large breed dogs and giving horses away to anyone who will take them. Now, most of this is done as 1000 people moved out of the area due to lack of jobs, and most are low paying jobs with no benefits. The rest of the population is on Social Security or disability. So even if a person wants better for their pet, sometimes circumstances force hard choices.