Mars Petcare UK has issued a ‘precautionary recall’ of several of its dog food products because they may contain high levels of vitamin D that exceed the maximum permitted intake.
Mars is recalling the following products: Pedigree Mixer Adult Dry Dog Food Original (3kg) lot codes 046E9MIN05, 046F9MIN05 and 048A9MIN05; Pedigree Mixer Adult Dry Dog Food Original (10kg) codes 046E9MIN08, 047C9MIN08; Pedigree Adult Complete Dry Dog Food with Chicken and Vegetables (2.6kg) codes 045F9MIN05, 047A9MIN05; and Pedigree Adult Complete Dry Dog Food with Chicken and Vegetables (12kg) 046C9MIN08, 046D9MIN08, 047E9MIN08.
It has also recalled a specific batch of Chappie Complete Chicken & Wholegrain Dry Dog Food (3kg) lot code 045F9MIN05.
All the recalled products have sell-by dates of next year (2022).
Mars says the recalls are being launched due to a raw material used in this production not meeting its ‘high quality and food safety standards’ and being outside specification.
“The products contain levels of victamin D that could potentially cause harm to your pet if consumed over several weeks.” Mars says no other Pedigree or Chappie product is affected by the recall.
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Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products, explaining to customers why the products are being recalled and telling them what to do if they have bought any of them. The company will, wherever possible, also be contacting customers who have bought the affected products.
High levels of vitamin D fed to a pet over a short period (weeks/months) should not cause undue concern. Over a longer period of feeding, however, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential dog health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, stiffness, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination (polyuria), excessive drooling, and weight loss.
Vitamin D, when consumed at ‘very high levels’, can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction.
