Lax testing practices resulted in vitamin D overdoses in Hill’s and Sunshine Mills pet food

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Toxic levels of vitamin D in Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill’s) canned pet foods and Sunshine Mills (Sunshine) dry pet foods could have been prevented, had both companies followed their own food safety plans.

According to information obtained by Food Safety News in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Hill’s identified Vitamin Premix as a ‘high risk’ chemical hazard and required that the ingredient “…be analyzed and be within acceptable limits prior to unloading … into the manufacturing facility.”

The company was unable to provide analytical test results for Vitamin Premixes during a February 2019 inspection.

The inspection was undertaken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the January 31, 2019 Hill’s recall of canned pet foods due to excess levels of vitamin D.

Tests conducted on a retained sample of the premix revealed a level of vitamin D that was roughly 30 times the target range for this ingredient. As of February 11, 2019, the company acknowledged having received 85 consumer complaints reporting pet deaths.

The number of complaints received by the company has increased substantially since that date, according to information supplied to FDA by Hill’s in response to FDA’s inspection observations.

FDA declined to comment on the number of pet deaths. According to an agency spokesperson, FDA is still in the process of verifying details of the complaints it has received, and considers it would be “…premature to release a number until the cases have been vetted to ensure they are all related to recalled product and are indeed cases of vitamin D toxicity.”

Hill’s cited a manufacturing error on the part of its vitamin premix supplier as the cause for the excessive vitamin D levels in its canned pet foods. The company is reevaluating and strengthening its specifications, including requiring a Certificate of Analysis for each incoming shipment of vitamin and trace mineral premixes.

In December 2018, FDA issued an alert to pet owners regarding a series of dry dog food recalls for excessive vitamin D levels. As reported by Food Safety News, FDA received a total of six dog illness reports associated with the recalled products.

The dry dog foods were manufactured by Sunshine Mills and sold under several brand names.

An ordering error by a Sunshine employee caused the wrong Vitamin D ingredient to be shipped to the company.

According to FDA, Sunshine did not follow its own written procedures for receiving ingredients. The company neither obtained a Certificate of Analysis for the ingredient, nor conducted its own testing to determine whether the Vitamin D it received was the correct concentration for use in dog food.

The error resulted in a level of Vitamin D in the finished dog foods of as much as 70 times the target amount.

Sunshine was notified on October 23, 2018 about a consumer complaint reporting an ill dog that had eaten one of the company’s dry dog foods. Sunshine investigated the complaint and concluded on November 2nd that it was valid.

FDA requires validated complaints to be reported within 24 hours; however, Sunshine did not submit a ‘reportable food report’ to FDA until six days later, on November 8, 2018.

Although the sources of elevated vitamin D were different in these two situations, the course of events was similar.

Both Hill’s and Sunshine took delivery of an ingredient that was substantially higher in vitamin D than specified for the purpose.
Both Hill’s and Sunshine had written procedures in place for receiving raw materials, and these procedures mandated testing for vitamin D concentration.
Neither Hill’s nor Sunshine carried out the lab analysis mandated in their written procedures.
Neither Hill’s nor Sunshine required a Certificate of Analysis for their Vitamin D ingredient or premixes.
Had Hill’s and Sunshine followed their own written procedures, the incorrect vitamin D ingredient concentration would have been found before the ingredient was used.

FDA’s investigation into Hill’s is ongoing, according to an agency spokesperson.

FDA offers the following information regarding vitamin D toxicity to pet owners and veterinarians.

If your pet is having symptoms of vitamin D toxicity, contact a veterinarian immediately. Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number.
Don’t feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animal. Contact the company listed on the package for further instructions or throw the products away in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them.
Consumers can report suspected illness to the FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you can work with your veterinarian to submit your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
The FDA encourages veterinarians treating vitamin D toxicity to ask their clients for a diet history. We also welcome case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. You can submit these reports electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
Veterinarians should also be aware that vitamin D toxicity may present as hypercalcemia, similar to dogs that have consumed rodenticide. In these cases, FDA suggests that veterinarians confirm diet history to verify whether the dog has been eating any of the recalled products.

For a comprehensive list of Hill’s Pet Nutrition canned pet foods recalled due to excessive Vitamin D, please visit Hill’s Pet Nutrition recalls: Country-by-country breakdown on eFoodAlert

Recalls and Alerts: March 24 – 31, 2019

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: Theo Chocolate recalls Sea Salt 70% Dark Chocolate bars (3 oz; Lot code 3092529; Best by 1/2020; UPC 8 74492 00325 8) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters Inc. recalls Blueberry Bread (3.7 oz net wt; Sold between 03/25/2019 – 03/26/2019) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert: Market of Choice, Inc. recalls approximately 1,094 pounds of pork and poultry pâté products due to undeclared milk and soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to Market of Choice retail locations in Oregon.

Food Safety Recall: Aurora Packing Company, Inc. recalls approximately 4,838 pounds of beef heel and chuck tender products due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped for institutional use in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company recalls Muse wet cat food Natural Chicken Recipe in Gravy (3-oz cans; Best by APR2020; Production code starts with 80941162; UPC 38100 17199) due to foreign matter (yellow translucent rubber pieces with blue backing) contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Pan Asia Food Co. Ltd. recalls Mixed Pumpkin Yam Tea (All batch codes; UPC 8 809257 330883) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: L’entreprise Fromagerie Proulx inc. recalls various cheeses because they were manufactured and packaged under conditions that do not ensure safety for consumption. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Lee’s Provisions Inc. recalls Lee’s Tea brand teas due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold across Canada.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Menu Italiano recalls Ruggiero brand Carciofi grigliati (285g glass jar; Lot #Lp109FRM1; Best before 31/12/2019) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Lidl Belgique recalls Mama Cariba Sauce Wok Des Caraïbes – Poulet Roti (375 mL; LOT 8108 / DLC 18-4-2019 and LOT 8102 / DLC 12-4-2019) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls several production batches of Hummus products due to undeclared sesame seeds. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Colruyt recalls Le Flandrien Jeune Reposé cheese cubes (200g; Lots #09/058 & 09/059; Best before 23/05/2019 et 24/05/2019) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): TADAL S.A. recalls Baktat Mixed spices for hamburger (100g; Lot #L.K346; Best before 12/2020) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (Belgium): ATOMES sprl recalls Glace Vacherin by Stephen Vandeparre (500ml; Lots 181010 – 181014 – 180906; Best before 10/02/2020, 14/02/2020, 24/02/2020, 06/03/2020 & 13/09/2020) and Bûche Vacherin by Stephen Vandeparre (500ml; Lot #181130; Best before 30/07/2019) due to undeclared eggs and/or wheat.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls Yummy House Patate Douce Séchée / Dried Sweet Potato (260g; Best before 15.01.2020) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): House of Denmark recalls Choco Cups – peanut butter & cookies (40g; Best before 11.02.2020) due to undeclared peanuts, milk, wheat flour and soy and Choco Cups – caramel brownie (40g; Best before 13.02.2020) due to undeclared milk and soy.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Coop Danmark A/S recalls Coop Asia Wok Mix (500g; Best before 13.06.2020) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (France): Industry recalls Yummy House Patate Douce Séchée / Dried Sweet Potato (260g; Best before 15.01.2020) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (France): Industry recalls several production batches of Nicholas Vahé brand Hummus products due to undeclared sesame seeds. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (France): Industry recalls MENU brand Crema di olive verdi (390g glass jar; Lot #LP 264, LP 264, LB 136, LA 151; Best before 09/2020) due to undeclared wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Epinards hachés surgelés / frozen chopped spinach (1kg; Lot #9.004 45C L3 HH:MM; Best before JAN 21) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Giovanni RANA Deutschland GmbH recalls Tortelloni Pesto – Tortelloni Pesto Basilico e Pinoli, Basil and Pinenuts Pesto (Lot #L104713; Best before 12 04 19) due to undeclared whey, milk, cheese, wheat, cashew nuts, lactose, barley and eggs.

Allergy Alert (Italy): DALIAN NEW CENTURY HUIHONG TRADING CO LTD recalls NUVOLE DI DRAGO – PRAWN CRACKERS (227g; Lot #HH032; 17-08-2021) due to undeclared shellfish.

Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Industry recalls Yummy House Patate Douce Séchée / Dried Sweet Potato (260g; Best before 15.01.2020) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls Tum Tums and Tum Tum Family Mix (All products up to and including expiration date of 31-08-2020) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lidl Nederland recalls Roti woksaus Mama Cariba (All best by dates up to and including 6-9-2019) due to undeclared celery.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Amazing Oriental recalls Yummy House Dried Sweet Potato (260g; Best before 15.01.2020) due to undeclared sulfites.

Allergy Alert (Romania): Lidl Romania recalls various sandwiches due to undeclared soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): ICA recalls ICA Grillchips (275g; Best before 12-07-2019) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): Macadams Bakery recalls various types of bread due to undeclared milk, soy and barley (gluten). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (UK): Genius recalls Cinnamon & Raisin Bagels 4-pack (Best before up to and including 08 April 2019) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (UK – England and Wales specific): Genesis Crafty recalls Cheese Scones (4-pack; Best before up to and including 02 April 2019) due to undeclared mustard and soy.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Match recalls RIANS Crottin de Chavignol cheese cave AOP 45% (60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls Queen’s jewel Mousseline de pommes / Apple sauce (720g glass jar; Best by 18/02/2021) due to foreign matter (glass splinters) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Monoprix recalls Monoprix brand Assiette Italienne dry ham (160g; Lot #210114612; Best before 15/05/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): E. Leclerc recalls Menu fraicheur brand Carottes râpées / Grated carrots (various package sizes and Best Before dates) due to foreign matter (plastic packaging) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected production batches.

Food Safety Recall (France): LHT recalls Crottin de Chavignol AOP raw milk cheese (60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LHT recalls Nos régions ont du talent brand Crottin de Chavignol AOP raw milk cheese (60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LHT recalls FRANPRIX brand Crottin de Chavignol AOP raw goat milk cheese (60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): LHT recalls CASINO CA VIENT D’ICI brand Crottin de Chavignol AOP raw milk cheese (60g and 2 x 60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Importers recall Tostitos brand Chunky Salsa, Medium (439.4g; Lot #2331100TB11:46; Best before 10. apríl 2019) due to foreign matter (glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Sudzuccheri SRL recalls Sudzuccheri zucchero classico (Lot #060319) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Aldi recalls Queen’s jewel Mousseline de pommes / Apple sauce (720g glass jar; Best by 18/02/2021) due to foreign matter (glass splinters) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Monoprix recalls Monoprix brand Assiette Italienne dry ham (160g; Lot #210114612; Best before 15/05/2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): LHT recalls Crottin de Chavignol AOP raw milk cheese (60g; Lot #L 033 09; Best before 05/04/2019) due to E. coli O26:H11 contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): DEEN Supermarkten recalls DEEN brand cooked meatballs with gravy (2 and 4 pieces; Best before March 23 to April 16, 2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls Meatball stew catered meals (Best before 28-03-2019, 30-03-2019, 01-04-2019, 04-04-2019, 06-04-2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jan Linders recalls Onze Proud Rounder meatballs with gravy (400g; Best before 29-3-2019, 1-4-2019, 3-4-2019, 5-4-2019, 8-4-2019, 10-4-2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): ALDI recalls 3-compartment Dutch ready-to-eat meals due to Listeria contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (UK – England specific): Wedlinka Delight recalls Metka Lososiowa, a Polish sausage (approx. 250g; Lot 72; Best before 03 April 2019) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): SPAR recalls Blueberry Muffins 4-pack (220g; Lot #19049; Best before 19 April 2019) due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Belgium – Update): Hill’s Pet Products (Benelux) NV-SA recalls several Hill’s canned dog food products due to excessive levels of vitamin D. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Hill’s Pet Nutrition recalls several Hill’s canned dog food products due to excessive levels of vitamin D. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Hill’s Pet Nutriton recalls Precription diet canine i / d 360 (360g; Lot #09 2020/27; Expiry 09 2020) due to excessive levels of vitamin D.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK ALERT/Food Safety Recall (Australia): CR and M Ash and Sons recalls various Ash and Sons brand shell eggs due to Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which may be linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Chobani Australia recalls Almond Coco Loco Flip
(140g; Best Before 23/04/2019) due to undeclared almonds.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Pana Organic Pty Ltd trading as Pana Organic recalls Pana Organic Raspberry Chocolate (45g; BB 21 NOV 2019) due to undeclared pistachio.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Bailey Beau Pty Ltd recalls Desert Tribe Tropical Raw Bar (40g; Best Before 28.10.19) and Lemon Seed Wonder Raw Bar (40g; Best Before 28.10.19) due to foreign matter (plastic) and mold.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): GSF Fresh New Zealand Ltd recalls Pams brand, Sproutman brand and Fresh Harvest brand Sprout products due to a production process concern. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Matakana Smokehouse NZ Ltd recalls Matakana Smokehouse brand Kaffir Gravlax and Citrus Gravlax due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for details on affected production batches.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Speirs Foods (2018) LP recalls The Whole Mix brand Tabouleh and Falafel Snack Pot (150g; Use by 28 MAR 19, 29 MAR 19, 30 MAR 19, 2 APR 19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Hill’s expanded dog food recall impacts pet families worldwide

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared on Food Safety News and is reposted with permission

Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill’s) expanded its worldwide recall late last week to include 85 total lots of 33 varieties of canned, wet dog food, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall notice dated March 21, 2019.

The recall impacts Hill’s customers in at least 78 countries, according to information posted on Hill’s own websites, and the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

An updated list of recalled products sorted by country is available at eFoodAlert.

Hill’s expanded its recall after FDA requested that the company test the vitamin D levels in additional products that were not part of the original recall. Testing leading up to both the January 31st and March 20th recalls revealed excessive, potentially toxic amounts of vitamin D, according to FDA.

All of the recalled products were manufactured using the same vitamin premix from a single U.S.-based supplier, according to Hill’s.

Although several hundred pet owners have posted complaints on the Hill’s Facebook page in response to the recall notice, there is no official tally of the number of affected pets.

In response to a question from Food Safety News, a spokesperson for FDA offered the following statement:

“The FDA has received a number of reports since the first Hill’s recall press release was issued on January 31, 2019. We are in the process of verifying the details of the complaints and it would be premature to release a number until the cases have been vetted to ensure they are all related to recalled product and are indeed cases of vitamin D toxicity.”

According to the FDA, dogs suffering from vitamin D toxicity may vomit, have little appetite, drink and urinate more, drool excessively, and/or lose weight. The severity of the symptoms and the speed of onset depends on the concentration of vitamin D ingested.

A dog exhibiting these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Duncan’s story

Duncan was a 13-year old lascho bichon, a service dog trained for seizure alert, and Kelly’s constant companion.

Kelly and Duncan divided the year between their homes in Michigan and Florida. They walked together, rode golf carts together as many as four times a day.

Twelve years ago, as Kelly told Food Safety News, Duncan suffered from pancreatitis and was prescribed Hill’s Science Diet by his veterinarian. He ate Hill’s I/D and Z/D wet and dry foods.

In early January, Duncan started to vomit white foam, had excessive thirst and urination and was lethargic. The next morning, he awakened with tremors.

Over the next three days, during which Kelly brought Duncan to the veterinarian three times, Duncan lost excessive weight and his condition deteriorated.

Three weeks after Duncan’s death, Kelly read about the Hill’s recall. She contacted the company on February 6, and was offered compensation consisting of $10.00 in coupons for the purchase of Hill’s pet food.

Because Duncan died weeks before the recall was announced, there was no necropsy and no suspicion at the time that his death was due to vitamin D toxicity.

When asked by Food Safety News what message she wished to share with other pet parents, Kelly replied:

“Hill’s claims they subject all of their food to extensive and repeated testing. Yet, now they have admitted that they sold food contaminated with Vitamin D. Obviously, Hills did NOT have testing and quality controls in place to check the food before they put it on the shelves for sale. Also, they dragged their feet issued the three waves of the recall, with the last wave coming on March 20th. During that delay, additional pets were fed this poisoned food and have died. And, the recalls still don’t include all of the contaminated food. Why would anyone trust them now? Go to the Hills Pet Nutrition Facebook page and read the thousands of comments underneath the two recall notices from angry pet owners.”

Kelly has set up a Facebook Group, Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time, in Duncan’s memory where pet owners can comment on their experiences and share information about nutritious pet food options.

What pet owners should do

If your pet is exhibiting symptoms of vitamin D toxicity, contact a veterinarian immediately. Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian. You may find it helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number.
Do not feed the recalled product to your pets. When discarding recalled products, make sure that they cannot be accessed by children, pets or wildlife. * Pet owners can report suspected illness to the FDA electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. It’s most helpful if you can work with your veterinarian to submit your pet’s medical records as part of your report. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.

What veterinarians should do

Ask your clients for a diet history if you suspect vitamin D toxicity, which may present as hypercalcemia.
Do not sell the recalled foods to your clients, and contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The FDA also encourages veterinarians to contact clients who have purchased recalled products, if they have the means to do so (such as through medical records or sales receipts).
FDA welcomes case reports, especially those confirmed through diagnostics. You can submit these reports electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling your state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. For an explanation of the information and level of detail that would be helpful to include in a complaint to the FDA, please see How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.