Doctors are urging people to stop using and return or discard certain bags of Hy-Vee dog food after the company issued a voluntary recall throughout the Midwest Friday.
According to a press release issued by Hy-Vee Inc., the company is recalling certain bags of Hy-Vee Complete Dog - Complete Nutrition, and Hy-Vee Complete Dog - Bites, Bones & Squares, after random routine testing performed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture found higher-than-normal levels of alflatoxin in some samples of the food.
The food was produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet LLC., according to the release.
Alflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical contaminant found commonly in corn and other foods that has been linked to liver damage.
Altogether, the products were distributed to customers located in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin between Oct. 26, 2012 and jan. 11, 2013.
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People who have the recalled product should return or discard it immediately.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, fever and yellowish eyes. If you notice your dog experiencing any of these, contact your veterinarian immediately.
"If your pet has been receiving one of these products, and isn't acting right, take him or her to your family veterinarian as soon as possible," said Dr. Jen Myers, medical director of BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Minnesota. "Or if it is after-hours, get them to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital."
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
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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
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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
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Hy-Vee Complete Dog - Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) - 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005560
Lot # ending with: 29312KC
"Best By" Date: 11/19/13
