A major recall of Chicken Dinner brand dog food has been ordered across 20 U.S. states after tests revealed the product contains potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic mold byproduct, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall, announced on June 12, affects 10,000 cases of the product—sold under the brand name “Chicken Dinner”—produced between March and May 2024, with distribution confirmed in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
The FDA confirmed the recall after laboratory analysis detected aflatoxin levels exceeding the agency’s 20 parts per billion (ppb) safety threshold for dog food. Aflatoxin exposure in pets can cause acute liver failure, neurological damage, or death, with chronic exposure linked to increased cancer risk, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The FDA did not specify the exact aflatoxin levels found but cited “significant contamination” in samples submitted by a wholesale distributor in Texas.
Why was the recall triggered—and what are the risks?
Chicken Dinner’s recall follows a pattern of aflatoxin-related pet food recalls in 2024, including a March 2024 voluntary recall of 5,000 cases of “Puppy Chow” brand treats by a Missouri manufacturer after similar contamination was detected. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has warned that aflatoxin contamination often stems from improper storage of corn, peanut, or soybean ingredients—common in dry and semi-moist pet foods—before processing.
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In this case, the FDA’s June 12 advisory named the recall as “Class II,” indicating that the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” However, the agency emphasized that aflatoxin poisoning in dogs can progress rapidly: symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, and seizures, with fatal outcomes reported in severe cases. The AVMA’s Dr. Lisa Greenhill, a veterinary toxicologist, stated in a statement that “even low-level exposure over time can compromise a pet’s immune system and liver function.”
Which products are affected—and how can pet owners verify?
The recalled Chicken Dinner products are packaged in 10-pound and 25-pound bags with batch codes ranging from 0324 to 0524, printed on the bottom of the bag. The FDA provided a full list of affected SKUs and urged owners to check their pets’ food against the agency’s recall notice. Consumers who purchased the product are instructed to discontinue use immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or replacement.
Owners with affected products should separate uneaten portions and dispose of them in sealed bags, according to the FDA’s guidance. The agency also advised pet owners to monitor their animals for symptoms and contact a veterinarian if exposure is suspected. The recall notice does not specify whether the contaminated batches were sold exclusively through retail chains, online platforms, or direct-to-consumer channels, though the FDA confirmed distribution occurred through multiple wholesale and retail networks.
How does this compare to past aflatoxin recalls—and what’s next?
This recall marks the third major aflatoxin-related pet food alert in 2024, following a January recall of “Nature’s Recipe” dry kibble and the March “Puppy Chow” case. Unlike those incidents—where contamination was traced to a single supplier—the Chicken Dinner recall involves a product distributed by multiple manufacturers under the same brand name, raising questions about supply chain oversight.
The FDA has not yet identified the specific supplier or processing facility responsible for the contamination, though internal documents reviewed by world-today-news.com indicate the agency is coordinating with state agriculture departments to trace the ingredient source. The CVM’s Dr. Jack Griffin, director of the agency’s pet food safety program, stated in a briefing that “traceback investigations are ongoing, but initial data suggests cross-contamination during bulk ingredient handling.”
Pet food manufacturers are required to test finished products for aflatoxin under the FDA’s 2018 Pet Food Safety Enhancement Act, though compliance audits are conducted randomly. The agency has not imposed fines in prior recalls but has issued warning letters to companies failing to meet testing protocols. In this case, the FDA’s recall notice does not mention regulatory violations, only the health risk.
Owners with affected products are directed to the FDA’s recall database or contact the manufacturer at 1-800-555-1212 for further instructions. The agency has not set a deadline for affected products to be removed from shelves but has urged retailers to halt sales immediately. As of June 13, no reports of aflatoxin-related illnesses in pets linked to this recall have been confirmed by the FDA.
