RECALL! Purina Feed Products Due to Elevated Vitamin D Level

Purina announced a recall of several of their animal feeds for elevated levels of vitamin D, which may cause death in any animal or fish. The press release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 13, 2012 –Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of specific lots of Purina® feed products listed below, due to the potential for elevated vitamin D levels. Elevated vitamin D levels may cause death or otherwise be harmful to animals and fish if fed for extended periods, potentially resulting in lack of interest in eating, weight loss and possible joint stiffness.

Although no customer complaints have been received to date, the following products with specific lot numbers are being recalled as a precaution, due to analytical test results on retained samples that indicate a potential for elevated levels of vitamin D.

The products were manufactured at the Richmond, IN feed plant and were distributed nationwide starting April 2, 2012 through May 8, 2012. Dealers have been contacted and asked to hold these products and to notify and retrieve the product from customers. The affected product should not be used, and where applicable, be returned to the retail dealer.

Formula No. Item No. Description Lot Numbers

35TD 0066925 WellSolve W/C^® 40# ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 3 Inclusive

35SU 0046451 WellSolve W/G^® 25# (bucket) ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 3 Inclusive

52C1 0001363 Game Fish Chow^® 50# ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 Inclusive

51J2 0040967 Catfish 32 50# ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 3 Inclusive

5136 0007136 Catfish Chow^® SR 50# ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 3 Inclusive

5115 0006569 Minnow Chow 50# ALL Lots APR 02 12 1 Thru MAY 08 12 3 Inclusive

Lot numbers for the WellSolve W/G® product are laser printed at the bottom of the label next to the ingredients listing on each bucket. Lot numbers for the other recalled products are laser printed on the back of each paper bag near the top. Lot numbers are formatted as follows: APR= Month / 17=Day of Month / 12 =Year / 2 =Plant Code.

Customers should return remaining products to their local dealer to receive a refund. For more information on the product recall, contact your local dealer or Customer Service (1-800-522-3354) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EDT), Monday through Friday.

Not surprisingly, Purina put their self-interests first by limiting negative publicity by burying the recall announcement on a Friday; the day least likely to garner much publicity thereby warning consumers of the potential hazard with their products. What’s a few dead fish and dead pets to Purina’s jealously guarded reputation? For shame, Purina.

Links: Photo: Product Labels (FDA); also available on FDA’s Flickr Photostream.

Source: FDA