If you share your life with a companion animal—especially a dog or cat—you owe it to your pet to educate yourself about the practices that take place behind the scenes in the factories and kitchens where raw, canned, and kibbled pet foods are manufactured.
The reality behind the appetizing package labels and enticing website advertising may shock you. It will certainly disillusion you, as it did me.
The stories and investigations described in TOXIC are drawn from interviews with pet owners, public records, published articles, and FDA inspection reports.
FULL DISCLOSURE: My husband and I are very fortunate to share our home with our 7½ year old Australian Cobberdog, Rutlands Shalom. She thrives on a home-cooked diet that I prepare for her myself.
Word On the Street
As part of the run-up to the publication of TOXIC, I supplied Advance Review copies to a number of colleagues in the writing community. Several of these individuals have already posted their reviews, and I am proud to share a few of their comments here. If you wish to read a complete review, please click on the reviewer’s name or handle.
“As the former global pathogen product manager at a major testing manufacturer, I found this book a fantastic companion to Tainted by Phyllis Entis.” – George Nagle (Amazon USA reviewer)
“TOXIC provides an eye-opening look at the pet food industry’s failures.” – Amy M. Reade (Amazon USA reviewer)
“Well, wow! As with Entis’s first book, TAINTED, this new installment is frighteningly eye opening.” – PeaceLoveHope (an Amazon USA Vine Voice reviewer)
“My thanks to the author for this meticulous insight – would that it weren’t necessary to hold those responsible constantly to account, but it is … and this book does that with aplomb.” – MeandtheMutts (Amazon UK reviewer)
A Peek Inside the Book
If you have read this far, please let me entice you further with a short excerpt from Chapter 9: Pentobarbital’s Pervasive Presence. I interviewed Mark Johnson via email for this story.
Mark was a California cattleman and his dogs were his workforce. He maintained a string of Border Collies and Australian Shepherd mixes to help with herding. Mark first purchased Gravy Train canned dog foods in 2015, using the products as supplemental feedings and as rewards for his dogs. In January 2018, when disaster struck, Mark owned thirteen dogs, ranging from ten months to approximately seven years old. One of his six female dogs was pregnant.
Typically, Mark purchased five cases of dog food weekly, patronizing the local Walmart and Big Lots stores for his supplies. In early January 2018, he replenished his supply of canned food with a purchase of two Gravy Train varieties: Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, and Chunks in Gravy with T-Bone Flavor Chunks. On or about January 12th, all thirteen dogs fell sick within hours after eating the Gravy Train dog food. He took all of the dogs to his local veterinarian. Within two days of having consumed the dog food, all thirteen dogs were showing signs of kidney failure and were euthanized at the veterinarian’s recommendation.
Although the veterinarian performed a necropsy on one of the dogs, neither he nor Mark reported the dog deaths to the FDA. According to Mark, the veterinarian died shortly after the incident, and Mark was unable to retrieve his files. As of November 2018, Mark was still searching for replacement herding dogs that were in need of a good home.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
United States
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: FDA is working to identify the source of a new outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ that has caused 31 confirmed illnesses to date, and is also investigating an new outbreak of 28 cases of Cyclosporacayetanensis for which no food source has yet been identified.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC, FDA and various state agencies continue to investigate a three-state outbreak of nine cases of Hepatitis A associated with frozen strawberries imported into the United States from Baja California, Mexico. Three of the victims have been hospitalized.
OUTBREAK ALERT / FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: FDA advises restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat certain raw oysters from Dai One Food Co., Ltd, Republic of Korea due to potential Norovirus contamination. Five cases of Norovirus gastroenteritis potentially linked to the oysters have been reported in Hawaii.
Allergy Alert:Gelato Boy recalls Chocolate Chunk Gelato (16 fl oz; Lot code 4043T2; Best by of 04/25; UPC 853457008002) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: Supplement Manufacturing Partner Inc. recalls Havasu Nutrition’s Beet Root Powder + (11.5 oz; Lot #111-2023021; Best by January 2026) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall: Willamette Valley Fruit Co recalls select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico due to the potential for Hepatitis A contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Pet Food Safety Recall: Cargill, Inc Corporate Headquarters recalls Best Choice Complete Puppy Formula Dog Food (4.4 lb & 16.5 lb; UPC 0 70038 60378 8 & UPC 0 70038 60381 8, respectively; Lot code EP2264; Best before 09-21-23) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.
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Canada
Food Safety Recall Update: New Alasko recalls Alasko brand IQF Whole Raspberries (1 kg & 5 kg; UPC 6 95058 00205 4 & 1 069505 800205 1, respectively; Lot HL22227; Best before 2024 AUG 15) and Alasko brand IQF Antioxidant Blend (1 kg & 5 kg; UPC 6 95058 27150 4 & 1 069505 827150 1, respectively; Lot 0052 041 2023; Best before 2023 OC 11) due to Norovirus contamination. The recalled products were sold in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. Illnesses have been linked to the consumption of these products.
Food Safety Recall: Simply Delicious recalls Battaglia’s Lorne Park Marketplace frozen raspberries (1 kg; Lot #22227; UPC 8 88040 40010 9) due to possible Norovirus contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Phoenicia Group Inc. recalls Al Kanater brand Tahini (330g; Lot #33101; Best before 2025 JA 31; UPC 6 92551 00053 2) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Fumoir artisanal Indian Bay inc. (Saint-Omer, QC) recalls SAUMON FUMÉ À CHAUD / Hot-smoked salmon and TRUITE FUMÉE À CHAUD / Hot-smoked trout (Sold up to 13 June 2023) due to lack of an expiration date and/or storage temperature instructions on the package label.
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Europe
Allergy Alert (France): SILVE INTERMARCHE recalls Monique Ranou brand Gratin dauphinois à la crème fraîche / Gratin Dauphinois with crème fraîche (850g; Lot 2362 L : M2H074 A11 05:35 à 07:50; Best before 31/03/2026) due to undeclared wheat and milk.
Allergy Alert (Germany): Taifun-Tofu GmbH recalls Räuchertofu / Smoked tofu (200g; Lot L301; Best before 27.08.2023) due to incorrect allergen information.
Allergy Alert (Italy): FVS srl recalls Fortini brand Biscotti frollini all’uvetta e misti / Shortbread biscuits with raisins & Mixed shortbread biscuits (200g, 400g, & 1 kg; Lots 12823, 12923, 13023, 13123, 13223, 13323, 13523; Best before 30/04/2024) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.
Allergy Alert Update (UK): Warp Snacks recalls several Lentil Bites and Chips products due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the updated recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA orders recall of TerraSana brand Pesto Rosso (bio) / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04/11/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (France): WOSTIN’ recalls Pousse de Haricot mungo / Mungo bean sprouts (1 kg; Lots FF07010 & FF07011; Best before 14/06/2023 & 15/06/2023, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): EUROPAFROM recalls GORGONZOLA MASCARPONE (Lot 230517; Best before dates between 09/06/2023 and 19/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE OTTAVI recalls various U muntagnolu Ghisoni Fior di Corsica Petirosso Fium’orbu fleur de lava petit renoso brand sheep and goat milk soft-curd cheeses due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls Rosette Salaisonniers du Pilat dry sausage (420g; Lot 2311002; Use by dates between 23/07/2023 and 25/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Rosette / dry sausage (420g; Lot 2311002; Use by dates between 23/07/2023 and 25/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Grande rosette / dry sausage (800g; Lots 2310304 & 2111003; Use by dates between 18/07/2023 and 29/07/2023 and between 01/08/2023 and 05/08/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Grande rosette pur porc / dry pork sausage (~800g; Lots 2310304 & 2111003; Use by dates 23/07/2023 and 30/07/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FLOMAR INTERMARCHE recalls CHUTE DE SAUMON FUME / Smoked salmon (Lot C003140; Use by 05/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand FEUILLETE SAUMON EPINARD / Salmon & spinach puffs (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand EPINARDS A LA CREME / Creamed spinach (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand TARTELETTES CHEVRE EPINARD/ Goat cheese and spinach tarts (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand QUICHE CHEVRE EPINARD/ Goat cheese and spinach quiche (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): COMAVIA INTERMARCHE recalls Gineys brand Viande de boeuf / Beef (Lot 23/BO05257; Use by 06/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): COMAVIA INTERMARCHE recalls Gineys brand Steak haché / Ground beef (Lot 23/BO05257; Use by 02/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Much More Market GmbH recalls Elit Cevapcici brand Mici Plini de Carne / Mini meat blinis (900g; Lots 516, 517; Best before 12.11.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): TerraSana Natuurvoeding BV recalls TerraSana brand Bio Pesto rosso / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04.11.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): TerraSana recalls TerraSana brand Bio Pesto rosso / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04.11.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Norvida recalls John’s Selection blandfärs / Mixed minced meat (500g; Best before 21/06/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Allergy Alert (Israel): A. Saiman Trade Ltd. recalls White Chocolate Brownies (no lot code details given) due to undeclared milk.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
United States
Allergy Alert:T.W. Garner Food Company recalls Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce (12 oz; Best if used by 120623T 065239; UPC 0 75500 10011 6) due to undeclared soy.
Allergy Alert: A.S.K. Foods, Inc. recalls Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad (30 oz; Code 3515-2; Use by 06/1/23) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall: Trader Joe’s recalls Trader Joe’s Instant Cold Brew Coffee (3.5 oz; Expiry dates 6/13/2024, 11/26/2024 and 12/30/2024; SKU# 67436) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass).
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Canada
Allergy Alert: Fromagerie La Bourgade inc. (Thetford Mines, QC) recalls LA COMMUNE – PETITS PIQUANTS cheese (50g & 200g; Sold up to 25 May 2023) due to undeclared sesame.
Food Safety Recall: Groupe Adonis inc. recalls FROM. GRUYERE SUISSE and EMMI FROM GRUYERE KALTBACH raw milk cheeses (Sold up to 24 May 2023) because the packaging does not mention that the cheeses were made from raw milk.
Food Safety Recall: Domaine Jolivent (Lac-Brome, QC) recalls Saumon Fumé du Jolivent / Smoked salmon (Sold up to 26 May 2023) because of improper storage temperature prior to sale.
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Europe
Allergy Alert (Austria): Unterweger Früchteküche GmbH recalls BILLA IMMER GUT MARILLEN FRUCHTAUFSTRICH FEIN PASSIERT / APRIL FRUIT SPREAD FINE PURE (280g; Best before 11.07.2024) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.
Allergy Alert (Austria): HMF Food Production GmbH & Co KGrecalls NATUR aktiv BIO Mandelmus, Sorte Weiß / Organic almond butter (Best before 28.09.2023 & 29.09.2023) due to undeclared peanuts and cashews.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Van Hove NV recalls multiple products due to undeclared sulphite. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Jumbo recalls Jumbo brandNotenmix Macademia Ongezouten/ Unsalted mixed nuts with macadamia (130g; Lot 171623; Best before 13-11-2023) due to undeclared cashews and macadamias.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Cipapi recalls Cipapi brand taboulé marin / marine tabbouleh (135g; Use by 25/05/23) due to undeclared sesame.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo brandNotenmix Macademia Ongezouten/ Unsalted mixed nuts with macadamia (130g; Lot 171623; Best before 13-11-2023) due to undeclared cashews and macadamias.
Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls OMV! Mac ‘N’ No Cheese (400g; Use by 1 June 2023, 2 June 2023 and 3 June 2023) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (UK): Buttermilk recalls Buttermilk Speculoos Flavoured Fudge with Biscuit Chunks (175g; Batch codes 79904, 80515, 81058; Best before 19 February 2024, 21 March 2024, 20 April 2024, respectively) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Wildvermeersch BV recalls BROCHETTE TAPAS À L’ESPAGNOLE / Spanish style tapa brochettes (270g; Lot 23136; Use by 25/05/2023 & 26/05/23) and PLATEAU TAPAS / Tapa tray (360g; Lot 23136; Use by 25/05/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIER recalls Salaisons Dijonnaises brand Véritable Jambon persillé de bourgogne / Burgundy ham with parsley (Lot 137062; Use by 20/06/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIER recalls Antoine Sabatier brand Véritable Jambon persillé de bourgogne / Burgundy ham with parsley (Lot 137062; Use by 20/06/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIER recalls Antoine Sabatier brand Véritable Jambon persillé de bourgogne / Burgundy ham with parsley (500g; Lot 137133; Use by 01/07/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LSA DIS E. Leclerc recalls E. Leclerc Thiant Paris-Brest pastries (2 x 75g; Packed 04/05/2023 & 02/05/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fa. Taifun-Tofu GmbH recalls Tofu Spinacia / Spinach tofu (200g; Lots L239, L246, L254, L261, L267, L274; Best before 18.05.2023, 25.05.2023, 02.06.20223, 09.06.2023, 15.06.2023, 22.06.2023, respectively) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal pieces).
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Taifun recalls Tofu Spinacia / Spinach tofu (200g; Lots L239, L246, L254, L261; Best before 18/05/23, 25/05/23, 02/06/23, 09/06/23) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal pieces).
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Monoprix recalls Fleury Michon Parmentier Saumon épinards/ Salmon and spinach parmentier (Lot G343140J; Use by 19/06/2023) due to defective package seal.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Wildvermeersch recalls BROCHETTE TAPAS À L’ESPAGNOLE / Spanish style brochette tapas (270g; Lot 23136; Use by 25/05/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Dirk recalls 1 de Beste Tartaar / Raw beef patties (2 pieces; Best before 31-05-2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls Fin Carré Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts (100g; Lot L3083A112; Best before 19 December 2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
Pet Food Safety Recall (France): MARS PF FRANCE recalls Royal Canin brand Mousse GI LOW FAT pour chien / Canned dog food (410g; Use by 06/02/25 & 07/02/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
