Cat Food Recalls, Alerts and News (Updated for 2023)

Pet food recalls can be very serious but, unfortunately, many dog and cat owners do not understand what a recall is or what it means. If a recall is issued for a pet food product that you use, you need to contact the manufacturer or take other steps to determine whether the specific batch you purchased is affected by the recall. If it is, you may be entitled to reimbursement if you return the product to the store where you bought it. Below you will find an overview of what recalls are and what they mean to you as a pet owner. You will also find a list of recent recalls for cat food products.

What is a Cat Food Recall?

As hard as you may try to provide your cat with a high-quality diet, there are some things you simply can’t control. For example, you have no control over the process commercial pet food manufacturers use to design and produce their formulas. Even if the company uses the highest quality ingredients there is always the risk that they might be contaminated or that other problems may arise during production. When the Food and Drug Administration or the company itself becomes aware of a problem that could impact the safety or efficacy of one of their products, a recall may be issued. A recall is simply an order to remove the affected product from the market to prevent further risk of injury or death.

Types of FDA Recalls

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the governing body responsible for overseeing the safety and regulation of food products as well as cosmetics and over-the-counter medications – they also monitor pet food production to some degree. There are three different classes of FDA recall which are explained below:

• Class I – This is the most urgent type of FDA recall and it is issued for products that pose a significant and immediate danger of death or serious injury. This type of recall is fairly rare but it is very serious and should be heeded as soon as you become aware of the recall. When a Class I recall is issued the FDA will create an individualized plan for the manufacturer and product in question to ensure that the problem is corrected and all existing products are removed from the market.
• Class II – This type of recall may be issued when a product poses the risk of death or serious injury but the danger is not immediate. In most cases, Class II recalls are issued as a preventative measure and when one is issued the FDA usually works with the manufacturer to spread the word about the recall and to remove any affected products form the market.
• Class III – This recall is the least serious of the three and it is usually issued when there is no immediate or perceived danger for the product in question. It is generally the result of violations of FDA regulations and problems that occur during manufacturing.

Though these are the only three types of recall issued by the FDA, there are a number of different ways a recall can be issued. One way is for the FDA to actually request that the manufacturer remove the product from the market and make the necessary changes to address the issue – the FDA can also issue a recall under statutory authority. It is also possible for pet food manufacturers to issue voluntary recalls on their products if they discover a problem on their own.

What Happens When a Product is Recalled?

In the event that your pet’s food is affected by a recall your first step should be to stop using the product immediately. In many cases, you will be able to return the product to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. If you choose not to return the product, be sure to dispose of it safely in an area where animals cannot access it. After disposing of the product, you may want to have your cat checked out by your veterinarian to make sure that there are no negative side effects from your cat eating the recalled product. If the veterinarian finds a problem it is within your rights to file a complaint with the FDA in regards to a recalled product.

Recent Cat Food Recalls

For the health and safety of your cat, it is imperative that you stay up to date with the latest recall information. Below you will find a list of cat food recalls from the past year:

December 2018 Recalls

9 Lives Protein Plus w/ Tuna & Chicken + w/ Tuna & Liver by J.M. Smucker Company // Possible low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)

August 2018 Recalls

Rad Cat Raw Diet by Radagast Pet Food, Inc. // Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes

July 2018 Recalls

Rad Cat Raw Diet by Radagast Pet Food, Inc. // Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes or Shiga Toxin producing E. coli O121

March 2018 Recalls

Rad Cat Raw Diet by Radagast Pet Food, Inc. // Potential for Listeria Monocytogenes

Raw Pet Food For Cats by Blue Ridge Beef // Presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

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Please visit the FDA’s website for the latest recalls or sign up below and we’ll let you know when something concerning surfaces.

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