Procter & Gamble (P&G) is quietly recalling Iams^® Shakeables Soft & Chewy Treats for Dogs due to the potential for mold growth. What type of mold, P&G did not say. Nor, in fact did P&G say much of anything it seems. The notice of the recall was “announced”, oddly, on Petsmart’s Facebook page.

Without knowing any further details it is safe to assume however, that mycotoxins are to blame. And without knowing the type of mold (some are worse than others) it is difficult to determine the seriousness of the recall and how it might affect your dog’s health. In which case, I would err on the side of caution, and assume the worse. P&G obviously, does not wish to unduly alarm or inform their customers, instead they pull a pet food industry fast one by issuing a “silent recall”.

The recall notice eventually appeared on a Petsmart’s corporate HQ website, but nowhere is any information regarding the product pull to be found on P&G Pet Care Iams website. What can be found however, is the product descriptions along with the ingredients of two recalled products:

Iams Shakeables Soft & Chewy Treats for Dogs Gobble ‘em up™ with turkey: Wheat Flour, Glycerin, Turkey, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Water, Caramel, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Dried Parsley.

Iams Shakeables Soft & Chewy Treats for Dogs Un-baa-lievable™ with lamb: Wheat Flour, Glycerin, Lamb, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Water, Caramel, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Dried Parsley.

Meanwhile, the recall notice (as it appears on Petsmart’s corporate website):

Voluntary Withdrawal: Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats

Dear Valued PetSmart® Customer,

Proctor and Gamble has issued a voluntary market withdrawal of Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats with certain “Impacted Lot Numbers” listed below. These treats are being voluntarily withdrawn due to potential for mold growth. No other products are affected. Proctor and Gamble has not received any reports of human or pet illnesses.

To find the lot code on your can, look at the first 4 numbers of the second line on the bottom of the can as they identify the affected lots.

Please stop feeding these products and bring any remaining Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats affected by the voluntary withdrawal to your closest PetSmart store for a full refund. If you have questions about this voluntary withdrawal, please call Proctor and Gamble (Iams) at 1-877-894-4458.

For more information read this great post about the “recall” from Seattle Dog Spot! Iams recalls Shakeables Turkey and Lamb Dog Treats without notifying consumers