Dangerous levels of Vitamin D in Rachael Ray Nutrish cat food prompt nationwide recall
The FDA is announcing a Class I Recall of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food due to dangerous levels of vtamin D. After conducting a number of product tests, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the company that manufactures Rachael Ray’s Nutrish pet food, confirmed that the affected products have elevated levels of Vitamin D.
To date, there have been 11 reports of illness associated with these products.
Symptoms of vitamin D toxicosis (also known as hypervitaminosis D) caused by the consumption of toxic levels of vitamin D develop within 12-36 hours after ingestion and may include vomiting or diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and muscle tremors or seizures. Any cat experiencing these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
According to the announcement on Nutrish’s website, they attribute the toxic level of vitamin D found in the formulas due to fish:
“The high levels result from the natural levels of Vitamin D that are found in some of the fish ingredients that were used in these specific formulas.”
The following products which were distributed nationwide are being recalled:
| Single Pack | Unit UPC Code | Best By Dates Thru |
|---|---|---|
| PAW LICKIN’ CHICKEN & LIVER (2.8 oz.) | 071190007032 | AUG 17 2015 |
| OCEAN FISH & CHICKEN CATCH-IATORIE (2.8 oz.) | 071190007049 | DEC 1 2016 |
| OCEAN FISH–A–LICIOUS (2.8 oz.) | 071190007056 | DEC 1 2016 |
| TUNA PURRFECTION (2.8 oz.) | 071190007063 | DEC 1 2016 |
| LIP SMACKIN’ SARDINE ‘N MACKEREL (2.8 oz.) | 071190007070 | DEC 1 2016 |
| Multi Packs – 12 Count | Unit UPC Code | Best By Dates Thru |
| CHICKEN LOVERS VARIETY PACK (12 count pack of 2.8 oz. cups) | 071190007773 | DEC 1 2016 |
| OCEAN LOVERS VARIETY PACK (12 count pack of 2.8 oz. cups) | 071190007780 | DEC 1 2016 |
Two variety packs that contain some of these recalled products (the Chicken Lovers Variety Pack, and the Ocean Lovers Variety Pack) will also be recalled. The UPC code can be found on the bottom of the cup. The Best By date can be found on the side of the cup.
Ainsworth is working to ensure the removal of all affected products from store shelves. Retailers with affected products are asked to contact 888-943-4218 for additional information.
Consumers with questions about the recall are encouraged to contact Ainsworth’s Consumer Care Team at 877-650-3486 or visit www.nutrishforpets.com/news.
Representatives will be available from 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m. ET Monday thru Friday and 8:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
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14 Comments
Kathryn Archuleta
Have the problems with Rachel Ray Wet Cat food been COMPLETELY solved or have you heard of any other episodes?? The reason I ask is that I have a new 7mos old kitten that is occasionally eating this as a treat (along with regular solid kitten kibble, but I have noticed that I think maybe both of my cats poops are VERY SLIGHTLY SOFTER than they should be. The only thing is that I don’t always see all of their poops ? because I have one of those “Nature’s Miracle – Robotic Litter Boxes” that has a rake that comes across and rakes all the clumps into a little receptacle.
George
I just buried my dear old snowball cat who died a very bad death after I started feeding from a bag of Rachel Ray indoor dry food. My other 4 cats all were sick beginning when I started the Rachel Ray food. All the rest shook it off though one needed Veterinary treatment. I’m on this site looking for some way to spread a warning about this stuff.
Ellen Walsh
My cat passed away last week because he was poisoned by Nutrish. I do not believe their vitamin D excuse at all. His blood tests showed extremely high levels for both liver and kidney function, but the vitamin D test was normal. I contacted the FDA about this concern and told the company I did not believe he could have gotten so very sick so suddenly from vitamin D- and that was even before the test results came back. I have read that Rachael Ray accepts no responsibility at all.
I do believe that the products (be it fish or chicken) from Thailand may have been tainted in some other way.
Jen H.
Jen from Jetpack here. Testing comments again. Nothing to see here. :)
Jo
Mollie,
I wrote both Weruva and Soulistic (via their respective websites’ “contact us” email addresses), asking if their Thailand-processed canned cat foods were produced at the same facility as Nutrish’s, and if so, had they or were they going to conduct testing to determine if their foods contained excessive vit D, as well. I got an answer from the Weruva/Soulistic brand family president within an hour of my inquiry, which I greatly appreciated! Here is how he responded:
“Hello Jo,
Thank you for the email to both Weruva and Soulistic. We appreciate your
concerns. We are not familiar with Nutrish pet food, though I do not believe
they manufacture in the same place where our family of brands are
manufactured. At this time, we have not received multiple inquiries on our
batches of food that would indicate anything is wrong with them.
The press release found on the FDA’s website states “The high levels result
from the natural levels of vitamin D that are found in some of the fish
ingredients that were used in these specific formulas.” It is important to
point out that there is also a recall on their chicken based item which I
believe does not contain any fish. I did not see a reason for this, but fish
would not be a contributing factor. In addition, of the 4 other items, they
were all produced on the same date based upon the same best by date. The
fish ingredients are different in all of the formulas.
As does Nutrish, we use tuna, ocean fish, mackerel and sardine, and all of
these fish are wild caught in our products. In our products, as the fish are
wild caught and caught in different waters at different times, it would be
unlikely that there would be a common thread tying all of these fish items
together from a raw material standpoint. Moreover, an issue in all products
(that have varying different fish ingredients) produced on the same date of
production, in our foods, would be indicative that something the
same/something common in all items would more likely be the causing factor
than varying fish ingredients. We would therefore look to ingredients that
are the same in all items, for instance a thickener. And perhaps we could
check that the vitamins/mineral premix was put into the formulas properly.
The fish too could also be checked as well.
We will keep our eyes and ears open, but at this time, we have not received
any inquiries that would give rise to a concern along these lines.
I hope this is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions or
comments.
Best Regards,
David Forman, President and Co-Founder
Weruva Because Weluvya!”
lynn
Please keep me updated.
Jo
This food is produced in Thailand. Has anyone solicited and received an answer from Weruva (who also makes BFF) or Petco/Soulistic on whether or not they make their wet cat foods at the same facility and, if so, if they have or are conducting tests to determine if their foods are affected, as well?