Add your name to our message to FDA.
Based on the dramatic increase of aflatoxin pet food recalls – in four months more than 60 million pounds recalled and more than 100 pet deaths – pet owners are sending FDA a formal request for action.
We will ask FDA to fully investigate how serious aflatoxin in pet food actually is, but more importantly – we will ask the agency to take preventive measures to make sure more pets don’t die from this contaminant. And, this message will come from all of us – not just consumer advocates. We are encouraging pet owners to ‘sign’ the request (below).
Our request
To: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
Attention: Dr. Steven Solomon, Director
Pet owners are asking FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine to fully investigate the recent dramatic increase of aflatoxin contaminated pet food. In addition to your investigation, pet owners are asking FDA to promptly:
- issue a consumer alert detailing the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning;
- issue a press release requesting veterinarians and pet owners to report any pet illness or death from the past year to the agency for pets fed any type of corn ingredient pet product – this includes corn, corn starch, corn gluten meal, yellow corn, etc;
- identify the corn suppliers and trace all the suppliers’ customers and brands who purchased corn from them in the last 24 months;
- implement a random mycotoxin testing program for all pet foods and treats that contain a corn ingredient. This program should at least be ongoing for the next 12 months; and
- issue monthly updates to pet owners providing the number of aflatoxin/mycotoxin adverse events received (illnesses and death cases) and publicly provide testing results.
Aflatoxin is one of the most dangerous threats to our pets, simply because corn is such a common ingredient – and the mold is basically indestructible. Immediate, consistent, and transparent action needs to be taken by the FDA. Pets are dying, and voluntary recalls are not enough.
Sincerely,
Thank you to all pet owners that signed. Our letter including all signatures was sent to FDA CVM on February 16, 2021.
Susan Thixton
Diane Brown
February 5, 2021 at 10:02 am
Our loved pets deserve to have healthy food. If you would not eat it, why should our pets eat it????
Grace Lappin
February 5, 2021 at 10:26 am
Aflatoxin is a concerning issue and needs to be addressed immediately.
shirley
February 5, 2021 at 10:37 am
my young(5 year) dog died from liver failure in 2020. always suspected a change in dog kibble might have been cause.
Kim Santell
February 5, 2021 at 10:43 am
Seriously, our pets are important to us!!!!
Terrie Rolph
February 5, 2021 at 11:30 am
I am wondering about the safety of the corn flour I buy in the grocery store. How likely is it that it can be contaminated too? Are the supply chains for the human market any better than those for the pet market?
Susan Thixton
February 5, 2021 at 11:38 am
Human foods (such as corn flour) are required to use human grade corn. Pet foods and treats are allowed to use feed grade corn – which could be corn rejected for use in human food.
Sharon Hurley
February 5, 2021 at 11:45 am
Outrageous that our companion animals die because you don’t do your job😠
Felicity Harvey
February 5, 2021 at 11:56 am
This in an inexcusable situation for those who feed a kibbled food. Criminal, in fact.
Randy Paling
February 5, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Get a brain, would you eat this crap ? I didn’t think so.
B.J. CIRELL
February 5, 2021 at 12:35 pm
ALPHATOXIN IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE & SHOULD BE ELIMINATED TO KEEP OUR *LIVING* LOVED ONES FROM SERIOUS HEALTH COMPROMISES & POSSIBLE DEATH…
Peter Martin
February 5, 2021 at 2:20 pm
I don’t buy dog food that has grain in it!
Caroline Snyder
February 5, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Virtually ALL US-produced pet food uses “Hog-grade” Corn, Beet Pulp, Wheat, Soy, Rice, Peas etc.. these are NOT suitable for humans and certainly NOT suitable for your pet CARNIVORES who have poor tolerance for these poisons, unlike eg Chickens and Horses. The widespread use of Round-Up is also a very serious issue for animal health.
This is one reason why we buy FARMINA for our bunch. (Human Grade, from Free Range and wild-caught animals, and Made in Italy.. where GMOs are BANNED, Thank God!
Join my group for excellent advice on feeding your dogs and cats!
Nancy Spesard
February 5, 2021 at 5:36 pm
I lost my dog in 2008, same problem. Information was sent from my centenarian and myself. I NEVER HEARD BACK from the FDA!
STOP killing our pets, START doing your jobs,
Babs wilburn
February 5, 2021 at 11:58 pm
I feed our pets human grade food, we cook their food because of stuff like this. Maybe if we stopped buying their garbage food, it would send a message that they can’t treat our pets like that.
Lana Rich
February 5, 2021 at 10:56 pm
It’s bad enough (well, horrible actually) that so many pet foods purchased in pet stores, supermarkets, etc. have corn (and other fillers)in them. HOWEVER, what I think is even worse is the “prescription” pet food–prescribed by a veterinarian–which is way more expensive but often contains corn, corn gluten meal, modified corn start, etc., along with other fillers such as powdered cellulose, guar gum, hydrolyzed yeast and LOTS of by-products! READ EVERY LABEL on anything that goes into your pet’s mouth–particularly what they eat on a regular basis. We MUST do everything pawssible to educate others, to speak up and to support Susan Thixton’s tireless work by sharing her messages and supporting her with our contributions.
T Allen
February 6, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Thank you Susan! We have to put an end to this!
Dianne & Pets
February 6, 2021 at 7:20 pm
I wonder what the first dogs eat. The presidential dogs that is.
Disappointed Daugter.
February 18, 2021 at 12:10 am
🖕🏾
Pingback: #25 Susan Thixton: Your pet food advocate | Vital Animal® § The Natural Path
Allaboutpets
March 4, 2021 at 12:01 pm
Thats a great news! We have to support it!
Margot Lane
May 25, 2022 at 9:36 pm
That k you for bringing this to my attention—- you have saved lives.