On September 22, 2026 the Purina Pet Food plant in Flagstaff, AZ had a “chemical leak” which resulted in three employees being treated at the hospital. “A hazmat team was then called and found that a chemical distribution system mixed two chemicals that are not normally mixed caused corrosion in a distribution line.”
“A Purina representative has stated that the Flagstaff factory encountered a small, 10-gallon chemical spill that caused an immediate evacuation of the boiler room, which is not connected to pet food production. The Flagstaff Fire Department was called to evaluate the situation. Upon arrival, the Fire Department detected no trace of a dangerous gas and gave the all-clear to re-enter the building. Three associates visited a nearby hospital yet none were admitted and all returned to work later in the day.”
But…Purina has not disclosed what those “two chemicals” were and has not disclosed if any pet food ingredients or finished pet foods were exposed to the “dangerous gas”.
This Flagstaff, AZ Purina plant produces Dog Chow, Beneful, Nestlé Purina ONE, Alpo, and Pro Plan brands.
Dry pet food (kibble) plants call their local fire department more often than you might think. Numerous fires and/or explosions occur at pet food plants due to the use of high heat ovens, and combustible dusts from commonly used pet food ingredients. Most of these incidents we never hear about…but should we?
When the fire department arrives at a pet food plant, their concern is the employees and the building – not the pet food or ingredients. If an incident is reported as a risk to employees, OSHA might inspect the plant – again only on behalf of employees.
To our knowledge, none of these incidents are required to be reported to FDA or state pet food authorities in order for someone to assure the safety of the pet food or ingredients (moisture damaged ingredients, or ingredients contaminated with toxic fire extinguishing chemicals, and so on). Should each manufacturer be required to report every fire or chemical leak to pet food regulatory authorities?
Personal Opinion: Yes.
Several years ago we asked the FDA if they reported the high levels of aflatoxins found in Midwestern Pet Foods (2020) to sister federal agency OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Our concern was the aflatoxin exposure to employees of the pet food plant. Inhaling aflatoxin contaminated grain dusts can be just as damaging as ingesting them. But, the FDA responded “No” – they did not share any information with OSHA, stating employee safety was not their jurisdiction.
Authorities from all sides should think outside the box (outside of their jurisdiction) and consider the big picture of a chemical leak or aflatoxin contamination of grains. All it would take is a quick email notification, or a 30 second phone call to alert those responsible for employee safety or pet food safety.
This isn’t difficult. It’s common courtesy and simply the right thing to do. And if authorities need a nudge to do the right thing, then laws need to be changed to require disclosure of each incident to those outside of their jurisdiction in order to assure all involved are protected.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Consumer Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
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