When a major pet food recall happens, it often makes national news, sending worried pet owners rushing to check their pantries. However, many smaller recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) never make the headlines. These quiet recalls can involve products contaminated with dangerous bacteria like Salmonella or that have toxic levels of certain nutrients. Because these recalls are not widely publicized, many pet owners can remain completely unaware that the food they are giving their pet could be harmful.
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1. Mid America Pet Food (Multiple Brands)
In late 2023 and early 2024, Mid America Pet Food issued a massive recall of dozens of its dog and cat food brands, including Victor and Wayne Feeds, due to Salmonella contamination. The contamination was linked to numerous cases of illness in both pets and humans. While it was a huge recall, it did not receive the same level of sustained, mainstream media attention as some other food safety crises, leaving many pet owners to learn about it through social media or their veterinarian.
2. TFP Nutrition (Multiple Brands)
Texas-based TFP Nutrition also recalled a large number of its dry dog and cat food products due to potential Salmonella contamination around the same time as the Mid-America recall. The recall included the popular H-E-B Texas Pets brand, among others. Because it was part of a larger wave of recalls, the specific details of the TFP recall were often lost in the noise, making it easy for a Texas-based pet owner to miss.
3. Fromm Family Foods Canned Dog Food
In late 2021, the boutique pet food brand Fromm Family Foods quietly recalled several varieties of its canned dog food. The reason for the recall was elevated levels of Vitamin D. While Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, in excessive amounts it can be toxic to dogs, leading to serious health issues like kidney failure. The company handled the recall through its specialty distributors, so it never became a major news story.
4. Blue Ridge Beef Raw Pet Food
Raw pet food diets have a dedicated following, but they also come with a higher risk of bacterial contamination. The brand Blue Ridge Beef has had to issue several small, quiet recalls over the years for its frozen raw pet food products due to the presence of Salmonella and Listeria. These recalls are often targeted to specific lot numbers and regions, so they rarely get national attention.
5. Sunshine Mills (Multiple Brands)
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In 2020, Sunshine Mills had to recall several of its dog food brands, including Evolve and Triumph, because they contained unsafe levels of aflatoxin, a toxin produced by a mold that can grow on corn. Aflatoxin can be fatal to pets, and the recall was a serious matter. However, it was overshadowed by the human health crisis of the time and did not receive the widespread coverage it deserved.
6. J.M. Smucker Company Canned Cat Food
The J.M. Smucker Company, which owns major brands like Meow Mix and 9Lives, has had to issue quiet recalls for specific canned cat food products. One such recall involved lots of Special Kitty wet cat food. Because these recalls are often limited to a specific production run, they are announced by the FDA but are not picked up by most news outlets.
7. Natural Balance Canned Cat Food
In a more recent case from mid-2025, Natural Balance issued a recall for a specific batch of its canned cat food. The recall was initiated due to potential contamination with a cleaning solution during the manufacturing process. The company and the FDA posted the recall. It was not a large enough event to generate any significant media coverage, relying on pet owners to actively seek out the information.
Your Pet’s Best Advocate
The sheer number of quiet pet food recalls highlights a critical gap in public information. You cannot rely on the evening news to keep you informed about the safety of your pet’s food. The best resources are the FDA’s official recall website and other independent pet food safety watchdogs. By actively checking these sources, you can act as your pet’s best advocate.
How do you stay informed about pet food recalls? Have you ever been affected by one of these quiet recalls? Share your story and advice for other pet owners!
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