Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Montpelier, Vt - Land O’Lakes Purina Feed has implemented a voluntary retrieval of horse feed due to a possible contamination from aflatoxin. According to a statement released by the company, no confirmed animal health complaints attributable to aflatoxins have been reported. Aflatoxins are a potent form of mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites of molds.

The recalled feed that made it into Vermont was produced on January 1, 2008 and March 10, 2008 at their Guilderland, NY plant.

Feed dealers that received the potentially contaminated products have been notified by the company and Vermont dealers have contacted or attempted to contact their customers who have purchased the feed.

If you have purchased Purina horse feed this year and are concerned you are feeding contaminated grain, please contact the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to have your grain screened for aflatoxin.

According to a company statement, the concern stems from a single ingredient that originated with a specific supplier. Purina is no longer using that supplier. The statement noted that other feed companies that utilize this supplier might also be affected.