FDA warns of multiple contaminated pet foods

Pet foods sold by multiple companies have been contaminated with bacteria and thyroid hormones, leading to recalls in March.

Food and Drug Administration officials announced that Arrow Reliance was recalling four poultry-based products following detection of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli O128 and Salmonella organisms. The recalls affect Darwin's Natural Selections and Darwin's ZooLogics raw foods, which have been subject to four prior recalls related to Salmonella contamination and Listeria monocytogenes contamination since October 2016.

Arrow Reliance makes the foods under the name Darwin's Natural Pet Products.

Agency officials also announced in March they were investigating positive test results for thyroid hormones in two Milo's Kitchen steak and burger dog treat products. They were being recalled by the J.M. Smucker Company.

Three dogs that ate the foods had high blood thyroid hormone concentrations, and a fourth dog was untested but also had clinical signs of hyperthyroidism. FDA information indicates pet foods with high thyroid hormone concentrations typically contain livestock gullets with remaining tissue from thyroid glands.

J.M. Smucker had issued another recall earlier in the year over possible pentobarbital contamination in Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol' Roy, and Skippy foods. FDA officials announced in February that the company was alerting owners after positive test results for pentobarbital in Gravy Train dog food, and the agency announced March 2 that the company had started a recall.

FDA testing found pentobarbital in tallow used in the affected products, and tests on finished products were pending.

Recalled products are listed in notices at www.fda.gov/safety/recalls.