Tennessee-based Mars Petcare US, Inc. is voluntarily recalling two lots of dog food because they may contain metal and plastic foreign material, the company said in a July 2 announcement published by the Food and Drug Administration.
The recall is applicable to 13.2 oz. cans of Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor for dogs, with lot codes 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC.
“The potential presence of sharp metal and plastic foreign material in the cans could pose a hazard to your dog. Health risks to dogs ingesting sharp foreign objects can range from choking to lacerations or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract,” the announcement said.
Mars has not received any reports of pet illness or injury related to the consumption of the recalled items, the company said.
If customers fed their dog the recalled product and are concerned about the pet’s health, they should contact a veterinarian. No other Mars Petcare or Pedigree products are being recalled or have been affected.
According to the company, the recalled product failed to meet the “stringent” safety and quality standards set by Mars and Pedigree, and the two lots had been sent to a third party for destruction. However, Mars discovered that the lots had seemingly been diverted fraudulently and distributed in the United States.
“Mars is working with authorities to determine how these products entered the marketplace,” the company said. “We are committed to protecting pets and helping consumers identify and remove the affected products from use.”
The Epoch Times reached out to Mars Petcare and Pedigree for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.
According to a September 2023 study published in the Heliyon journal, plastic is the “most problematic” among foreign materials to be detected in foods. Unlike high-density materials such as metal or stone, which are easily detectable, plastic is harder to find.
“Plastic foreign materials can contaminate food from many sources like equipment, hand tools, freezer belts, conveyors, and some packaging materials,” the study said.
While X-rays can identify some plastics nondestructively, they remain costly and suffer from detection limitations.
As for metal fragments, they can enter the food production process at manufacturing sites due to damaged sieves, equipment malfunctions, and improper employee practices.
Magnets are highly effective in removing ferrous metal objects as small as dust from food items. Metal detectors, X-rays, ultrasound, and hyperspectral imaging are other detection methods for metal contaminants.
“Some foreign materials will inevitably evade the various removal methods and will make their way into the finished product. It is important to detect these contaminants before they leave the processing plant,” the study said.
Meanwhile, Elise Fennig, president of the Pet Food Institute (PFI), said in a June 24 statement that the organization supports the Senate’s Farm Bill legislation, citing benefits such as ensuring the safety of ingredients in pet food products.
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) had released the legislative text of Farm Bill 2.0 last month.
“The draft Senate bill includes key priorities for the U.S. pet food industry,” Fennig said.
The bill contains “provisions to strengthen animal health protections, support safe ingredient sourcing, and bolster the global competitiveness of U.S. pet food producers, while supporting America’s farmers who are essential to the supply chain,” Fennig said.
“We look forward to the bill advancing through the Senate approval process.”
