Pet Owners plead with FDA to go beyond recall.
CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Truth About Pet Food.com reports that since late December 2020, hundreds of pets have died due to contaminated pet food; the deaths could have been prevented through proper monitoring of ingredients and pet foods. In the same timeframe – but only after pets died – 60 million pounds of corn-based dog and cat food were recalled containing deadly levels of aflatoxins, poisons produced by molds on agricultural crops.
The FDA maximum limit of aflatoxin in pet food is 20 parts per billion. FDA states: “Pets with aflatoxin poisoning may experience symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, and/or diarrhea. In some cases, this toxicity can cause long-term liver issues and/or death.”
Pet owners across the US sent an urgent plea to Dr. Steven Solomon, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine to take preventive action against mycotoxins in pet food; telling the Agency recalls are not enough. “Proper monitoring of hazards and prevention is vital to pet food safety” said veterinarian Dr. Laurie Coger. “More immediate and consistent action needs to be taken by the