Hy-Vee issues voluntary recall of certain dog food products

Routine testing identifies higher-than-normal contaminant levels in select products

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hy-Vee, Inc. today issued a voluntary recall of certain bags of Hy-Vee dog food due to elevated levels of a chemical contaminant commonly found in corn.

Routine random tests conducted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture indicated higher-than-normal levels of aflatoxin in some samples of Hy-Vee dog food produced at a Kansas City plant operated by Pro-Pet, LLC.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities.  Pets which have consumed this product and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should consultant a veterinarian.

The recalled products carry three different "Best By" dates and were distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin between October 26, 2012 and January 11, 2013.

The following products are subject to the recall:

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 34-lb.
UPC: 07545005647
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
"Best By" Date: 11/24/13

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 8-lb
UPC: 07545005667
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
"Best By" Date: 11/24/13

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005665
Lot # ending with: 29812KC
"Best By" Date: 11/24/13

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Complete Nutrition (Green Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005665
Lot # ending with: 29912KC
"Best By" Date: 11/25/13

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) – 20-lb.
UPC: 07545005680
Lot # ending with: 29312KC
"Best By" Date: 11/19/13

Hy-Vee Complete Dog – Bites, Bones & Squares (Yellow Bag) – 4.4-lb.
UPC: 07545005560
Lot # ending with: 29312KC
"Best By" Date: 11/19/13

The recall is limited to the products, sizes and code dates listed above. No other Hy-Vee dog food products or code dates are affected by the recall.

Customers are urged to check the "Best By" dates on any product they have at home and refrain from feeding any of the recalled products to their pets. Any bags of Hy-Vee dog food subject to the recall, whether opened or unopened, may be returned to Hy-Vee stores for a full refund.

Hy-Vee officials emphasized the recall is voluntary and only conducted as a precautionary measure. No illnesses have been reported in dogs consuming the product, and the product does not pose a health risk to humans handling it. Hy-Vee officials have also removed all potentially affected products from Hy-Vee stores.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-289-8343. This number is staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.    

Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating 233 retail stores in eight Midwestern states. For 2012 the company recorded sales of $7.7 billion, ranking it among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States. To learn more, visit the company's Web site at www.hy-vee.com.

Contact: Ruth Comer – Assistant VP, Media Relations
Phone: (515) 559-5770 – Mobile: (515)868-2061 – E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Hy-Vee, Inc.