Major Pet Food Recall Rocks South Africa As Toxin Found In Popular Brands

South African pet owners are on high alert after a sweeping nationwide recall pulled thousands of bags of well-known dog and cat food off the shelves. The National Consumer Commission’s announcement sent immediate shockwaves through WhatsApp pet groups, neighbourhood forums and vet clinics, with owners scrambling to check batch numbers on their cupboards at home.

The recall affects some of the country’s biggest household brands, including Bobtail, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Optimizor, Ultra Pet and Superwoof. All impacted products were manufactured during specific dates in May and June this year, after tests uncovered elevated levels of a grain-based toxin known as Deoxynivalenol.

What Went Wrong

According to the manufacturer, the issue began with contaminated maize used during production. Deoxynivalenol, or DON, is a naturally occurring mycotoxin that forms on grains when certain moulds grow. Although DON is considered safe below 1 000 ppb, the affected batches exceeded this threshold. Pets exposed to higher levels may refuse to eat or experience digestive discomfort.

The contamination was limited to products produced on 26 to 29 May, 4 to 5 June, and 17 June 2025. After verifying test results, the company increased its testing frequency and moved quickly to work with regulators on the recall.

How Pet Owners Are Reacting

Local pet communities did not wait for official advice. Many turned to Facebook groups like “Paw Parents SA” and “Joburg Pet Alerts,” sharing photos of batch numbers and asking for guidance from fellow owners. Some expressed frustration, especially those who had recently purchased large bags during promotions.

One Cape Town pet owner wrote:
“We trust these brands with our fur babies’ lives. This is scary. I’ve already chucked out the whole bag.”

Veterinarians also reported an uptick in calls from anxious owners wanting to know whether mild symptoms like vomiting or loss of appetite could be linked to the recall.

Why This Matters For South African Households

Pet food recalls are not common in South Africa at this scale, making this announcement particularly alarming. Local context plays a big role too. Pet ownership has surged, especially after lockdown years, and many families rely on trusted, affordable brands like Bobtail and Catmor.

This incident highlights how important food safety monitoring is, especially when raw materials like maize are vulnerable to mould growth during wet seasons. With La Niña conditions predicted for summer, experts say grain-based products may require even stricter oversight.

What To Do If You Have The Affected Food

Consumers are advised to:

• Check the batch numbers and manufacturing dates on their bags

• Immediately stop feeding any recalled products to pets

• Contact the brand’s customer care line for refunds or guidance

• Monitor pets for symptoms like appetite loss or stomach upset

• Visit a vet if symptoms persist

The NCC is urging owners to keep a close eye on any food purchased between late May and June, even if symptoms have not appeared.

{Source:The Citizen }

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