Pet food recall guidance-for owners

Fact Sheet - Food Recall Guidance fan image

 

Information and guidance on what to do if your pet’s food is recalled

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What is a pet food recall?

A pet food recall is a precautionary measure taken when a manufacturer identifies a potential or perceived safety risk in a product batch, such as contamination or labelling issues. Recalls help protect pets and households.

What should you do if your pet's food is recalled?

What to do if your pet’s food is recalled:

  1. Check the product details:
    • Keep your pet food packaging, especially the batch code and expiry date. These help you quickly check if your product is affected.
  2. Pause Feeding the product:
    • If your pet’s food is listed in a recall, it’s best to stop using it right away. Even if you’re unsure, it’s safer to wait until you have more information.
  3. Keep an eye on your pet:
    • If your pet has eaten the recalled food, it’s a good idea to watch for any unusual signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or loss of appetite.
    • Manufacturers often list possible symptoms related to the recall, so check their website or notice for details.
  4. Notify your vet
    • If you’re worried or notice any symptoms, your veterinarian is your best resource for advice and care.
  5. Return or dispose of the product
    • The manufacturer will usually provide instructions on what to do next, whether that’s returning the product for a refund or disposing of it safely. Check the company’s website for details.
  6. Stay updated on recalls
    • If there is a recall, the brand, retailers, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) will be active in their communications to alert pet owners. You can also keep an eye on trusted sources like the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website for official recall alerts and check your pet food brand’s website for updates or announcements.
  7. Share and Report Information
    • Help others stay Safe: Let other pet owners know if you hear about a recall, it helps keep more pets safe. And if you notice anything unusual with your pet’s food, consider reporting it to the manufacturer.

 

Key takeaways for pet owners:

  • Keep packaging with batch codes for easy reference.
  • Stop using recalled food right away and follow the guidance provided by the manufacturer or official sources
  • Monitor your pet’s health and contact your vet if needed.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on returns or disposal.
  • Stay up to date with official recall alerts.
  • Remember: Recalls are often precautionary and don’t always mean harm has occurred.

For more details on how to handle pet food recalls, visit FSA Recall Information