Rising Trend: Pet Food Recalls on the Rise, FDA Records Show
The number of pet food recalls has been on the rise in recent years, with 16 recalls in 2023 alone, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) records reviewed by Newsweek. These recalls have affected a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, equines, swine, birds, and even catfish, and have involved products such as dry and raw food, as well as liquid probiotics.
In the most recent recall, concerns were raised about 315 44-pound bags of dry dog kibble sold under the name Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food produced by Mars Petcare US. The recall was due to bags containing loose metal pieces, which could pose a health hazard to pets.
Other brands with recalled products have included Purina, Blue Ridge Beef, Simply Nourish, Merck Animal Health, Ozona, Freshpet, and NutriSource. The FDA received 971 pet food-related complaints in January 2024, with incidents leading to 1,312 sick pets. Symptoms reported ranged from minor to very serious, including pets bleeding from the rectum, vomiting blood, and seizures.
Public Interest Research Groups reported that total food and beverage recalls nationwide increased by 8 percent in 2023, the most since before the COVID-19 pandemic. As pet owners, it is important to stay informed about recalls and monitor your pets for any unusual behavior if they have consumed a recalled product.
