Aflatoxin a concern for petfood industry in summer, experts say

Grain experts say a toxic mold residue that attacked the 2012 US corn crop may become even more problematic this summer and fall as farmers blend off tainted corn supplies from storage. This is a concern in the petfood industry as manufacturers work to avoid contamination in their final products and minimize petfood recalls due to aflatoxin. 
"As we get into summer, you are going to see the worst of it," said Doug Bartlett, co-owner of advisory company Midwest Farm Services. "We have tight corn supplies and when we get down to the nitty gritty, there is going to be a lot of the aflatoxin left over, and it will have to be blended off into the new crop." 
According to Charles Hurburgh, agricultural engineering professor at Iowa State University who specializes in grain quality, aflatoxin is currently a significant concern in the US from eastern Kansas across northern Missouri, up to central and southern Illinois. As temperatures rise in the spring, the mold responsible for causing aflatoxin can be spread inside grain storage bins, which could create a second round of problems after the initial outbreak when crops are harvested. 
"We've already seen some flourishing of the molds that can produce aflatoxin," said Max Hawkins, a nutritionist with Alltech. "Because corn is in short supply, everybody wants to get every kernel, everything they can out of the bin. As the bin is emptied, those damaged kernels tend to concentrate in the bottom area....There is ample aflatoxin present in many, many storage facilities." 

Aflatoxin increase in European autumn 2012 maize harvest, Romer Labs says

The European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has reported 10 notifications on aflatoxin B1 in maize of European origin since the last maize harvest in autumn 2012, according to Romer Labs. In the 10 years prior to the last harvest in autumn 2012, from 2001-11, a total of nine cases of aflatoxins were reported in maize.
However, Romer Labs says global warming is increasingly affecting the mycotoxin map in Europe, producing "tropical toxins" within Europe's borders.
“Conditions are very favorable for the growth of Aspergillus in southern areas of the European mainland due to climate change. This means that Europe will have more homemade aflatoxin cases in its crops in the future,” said Prof. Rudolf Krska, a mycotoxin expert from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria. “The food and feed industry has to adapt its risk management to cope with this new threat and minimize aflatoxin exposure in Europe.”
According to Romer Labs: "The origins of the contaminated maize reported in the RASFF were mainly southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Serbia and in Italy. The average level of aflatoxin B1 was 59.28 ppb (parts per billion or µg/kg) and the maximum 204 ppb in Serbian maize – 10 times above the maximum level for feed. The EU regulatory limit for aflatoxin B1 in feedstuff is 20ppb, whereas in food it is 5ppb.
"Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most carcinogenic substances on the planet, 100 times more toxic than pesticides, for instance. The producing molds, which are different species of Aspergillus, have been mainly a problem in tropical regions and can either occur on the field, but also in inappropriate storing conditions. Major maize exporting nations such as Argentina, Brazil and the USA have developed risk-management systems over recent decades to handle the aflatoxin risk. Europe can take these examples to adapt their systems to this new reality where aflatoxins are now on the agenda.
"Testing for aflatoxins requires sophisticated sampling methods which need to be done at the very beginning of the supply chain to deal with the heterogenic distribution of this contaminant. Testing methods have to be very sensitive as limits are between 5 and 20 parts per billion (ppb). At the reception point, this testing can be done with lateral flow devices or Fluorometric methods. The reference method of choice in laboratories is nowadays LC-MS/MS, which is a technology that can simultaneously detect all major mycotoxins, including aflatoxins," said Romer Labs.

Recent dog food recall highlights 2012 corn crop mold problem

The problem of mold in 2012's US corn crop was once again highlighted following a dog food recall by grocery chain Hy-Vee, as the industry continues to look for ways to enhance pet food safety, according to a report.
Hy-Vee recently recalled five of its private-label dog food brands across eight US states due to elevated levels of aflatoxin from contaminated corn used to make the pet food.
"The toxin becomes more prevalent in a drought year," said Ruth Comer, Hy-Vee spokeswoman. "We had worse drought this past year than we've had in years, so it's not totally surprising that we have a bigger aflatoxin problem this year than in the past."
In fact, crop insurance data from the US Department of Agriculture show payouts for mycotoxins, aflatoxin being the most common, reached nearly US$75 million for 2012, triple levels of a year ago. Nearly 85 percent of the claims were filed in six USA states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri.
Higher concentrations of aflatoxin were expected even before the new bushels were harvested in fall 2012. In September 2012, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska received Food and Drug Administration approval to increase the amount of aflatoxin-contaminated corn that could be blended for animal feed.
"There is certainly more awareness this year," said Pat Tovey, director of technology and regulatory compliance with the Pet Food Institute. "This is such a big issue in pet food."

RECALL: Hy-Vee issues voluntary recall of dog food products

Hy-Vee Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of certain bags of Hy-Vee dog food due to elevated levels of aflatoxin, a chemical contaminant commonly found in corn, found in some samples, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Routine random tests conducted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture indicated higher-than-normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples of Hy-Vee dog food produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet LLC. Hy-Vee officials said the recall is voluntary and only conducted as a precautionary measure. No illnesses have been reported in dogs consuming the product, and the product does not pose a health risk to humans handling it. Hy-Vee officials have also removed all potentially affected products from Hy-Vee stores.
The recalled products carry three different "Best By" dates and were distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin between October 26, 2012, and January 11, 2013. 
Customers are urged to check the "Best By" dates on any product they have at home and refrain from feeding any of the recalled products to their pets. Any bags of Hy-Vee dog food subject to the recall, whether opened or unopened, may be returned to Hy-Vee stores for a full refund.

Recent aflatoxin pet food recalls may increase safety regulations

A series of recent recalls in the US for high aflatoxin levels in petfood is increasing the pressure to tighten government food safety rules in proposals that are currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a report from Reuters.
The act, signed into law this year, focuses on preventing pet food contamination, starting with pet food ingredients, rather than just responding to contamination. Grains, ingredients in many pet foods, are degraded by crop diseases, including the Aspergillus fungus on corn. In dry, hot growing seasons like 2011, toxins like aflatoxin are produced in high amounts, causing a series of recent petfood recalls by Cargill, Iams and Advanced Animal Nutrition. "What's happening with the Food Safety Modernization Act is we're seeing an increase in incidents of reporting because there is more surveillance. With more surveillance we are going to get more positives," said Greg Aldrich, president of feed consultancy, Pet Food and Ingredient Technology. "Livestock feed, pet food and human food companies have already begun to implement everything that is going to be part of the law." "We stepped up our testing of aflatoxin especially looking at the dry conditions of the summer," said Mike Strain, commissioner of agriculture and forestry for Louisiana, USA. "When you look at food safety we continue to test. It shows why we need that traceability system so we can identify the product then go through the entire system and pull that product back." Crop specialists say the key to keeping aflatoxin out of the human and animal food chain is to test corn right from the field in high-risk years. However, tests are expensive at US$10 to US$15 per sample, and can be timely and sometimes produce a false negative result. "Shortcuts get taken," said Charles Hurburgh, a grain quality specialist for Iowa State University. "With the Food Safety Modernization Act, if you have reason to believe you have an adulterated food, more than 20 parts is an adulterated food – you put it in the system, you're in big trouble." 

RECALL: Arrow Brand dry dog food, Petrus dry dog food recalled for aflatoxin

The US Food and Drug Administration posted an "updated" recall notice on its website with two additional pet food recalls and corrected pet food product lot numbers, all related to dog food with elevated aflatoxin levels.
These most recent recalls, for O'Neal's Feeders Supply's Arrow Brand dog food and dog food from Petrus Feed and Seed Stores Inc., come in addition to December recalls by Cargill, Proctor and Gamble's Iams, and Advanced Animal Nutrition dog food also for high aflatoxin levels.  O'Neal's Feeders Supply of DeRidder, Louisiana, USA, recalled dry Arrow Brand dog food manufactured between December 1, 2010, and December 1, 2011, because it contains corn detected to have unacceptably high levels of aflatoxin. According to the company, the recall applies to dog food distributed in Louisiana and Texas, US, with lot numbers 4K0341 through 4K0365 and 04K1001 through 4K1325. Affected Arrow Brand products include: 21% Dog Chunks SKU #807 40 lb. bag; Super Proeaux dog food SKU #812 40 lb. bag; and Professional Formula dog food SKU #814 50 lb. bag. Consumers may return the recalled dog food, in opened or unopened packages, to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information contact +1.800.256.2769. Petrus Feed and Seed Stores of Alexandria, Louisiana, USA, recalled its dry dog food, manufactured by Cargill in LeCompte, Louisiana, USA, from December 1, 2010 through December 1, 2011, also for unacceptably high levels of aflatoxin. The product, 21% Protein Dog Food in 40 lb. Petrus Feed bags, has lot numbers 4K1011 through 4K1307 and updated lot numbers 4K1011 through 4K1335. Consumers may return the recalled dog food, in opened or unopened packages, to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information contact +1.318.443.2259. Both companies advised that pets that have consumed any of the recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.

RECALL: Dog Power Dog Food recalled due to aflatoxin

Advanced Animal Nutrition is recalling dry Dog Power Dog Food due to aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit.

The company is the third to recall food due to aflatoxin in the past week, following recalls from Procter & Gamble and Cargill.

The affected products were manufactured between Jan. 4, 2011, and Nov. 18, 2011, and include:

• Dog Power Adult Maintenance Formula 21-12 Dog Food, 50 lb. bags;

• Dog Power Hunters Formula 27-14 Dog Food, 50 lb. bags;

• Dog Power Hi-Pro Performance Formula 26-18 Dog Food, 50 lb. bags.

The recall applies to the above products with Packaging Date Codes [lot numbers] K0004 through K1322. The affected products were distributed in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. Retailers have been instructed to remove the affected brands and products from their shelves.

The company said consumers should return affected products, whether opened or unopened, to their place of purchase for a full refund. They can also call 1-866-648-7646 for more information.

Advanced Animal Nutrition said it implemented the recall as a precautionary measure, and no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported.

 Pets that have consumed the affected product and are exhibiting symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian, the company said.

RECALL: Cargill recalls River Run, Marksman dog food for high aflatoxin levels

Cargill is voluntarily recalling dog food, sold under the River Run and Marksman brand names, due to high levels of aflatoxin.

The affected dog food was manufactured at the company's Lecompte, Louisiana, USA, plant from December 1, 2010, through December 1, 2011. The food was distributed in 13 American states and two American territories: Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, California, and Guam and the US Virgin Islands.
"No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Cargill Animal Nutrition petfood products are involved in this recall," Cargill said in a statement.

RECALL: Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dog food recalled for high aflatoxin levels

Pet food manufacturer Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling select bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food, due to aflatoxin levels detected higher than the accepted limit.

The recall is for 7-, 8-, and 17.5-pound bags of the Iams dog food, marked with expiration dates of February 5, 2013, and February 6, 2013. The affected bags were distributed in the following places in the US: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
The company said no illnesses have been reported yet as a result of the contaminated petfood, but the recall is being issued as a precautionary measure. Pets that consume the product and show signs of sluggishness or lethargy, reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tinted eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be taken to a veterinarian, the company says. Consumers who purchased the recalled food should stop using it immediately, throw it out and contact Iams for a replacement voucher.

Pet Food Industry Association confirms South African dog deaths from aflatoxin contamination

The Pet Food Industry Association in South Africa confirmed that dog deaths continued into May, after three dog food brands were ordered to be removed from store shelves in April due to aflatoxin contamination, according to reports. The Department of Agriculture ordered the Hi Pro, Buddies and Legends petfood brands be removed from store shelves, following the initial deaths of 12 dogs in Gauteng, South Africa.
PFIA says it has been collecting samples for independent testing of the petfoods involved, and has recently identified another brand, Vito, that also showed potential aflatoxin contamination. The Department of Agriculture recommended that all products thought to be contaminated should be composted for plant fertilizer. The department also recommended Vito food should be withdrawn from store shelves until the brand owner can verify that all contaminated products have been removed from the market and the public informed of specific affected batches.
“The Department of Agriculture has issued the notice of withdrawal of certain product and has seized a number of batches since this announcement,” said Barry Hundley, PFIA executive director. “We do however urge consumers who have some of these products from March and April manufacture and Vito, not to feed it to their pets as they are putting their lives at risk. Once the department was satisfied that all their requirements have been met by the manufacturer, new stock of the product has been made available on the market.”

RECALL: Kroger recalls dog, cat petfood due to aflatoxin

The Kroger Co. is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.
Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.
Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.
Kroger is recalling the following items:

• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
• Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
• Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
• Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
• Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.
Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.