Two lots of Pedigree-branded dog food were recalled over the potential presence of metal and plastic foreign material in the cans, Mars Petcare US said in a voluntary recall announced on July 2. The products affected are 13.2-ounce cans of High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor for dogs, with lot codes 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC, and were sent to a third-party vendor for destruction as part of the quality-control process. Mars noted that the recalled items did not meet Mars and Pedigree safety and quality standards. The company later disclosed that the product had been fraudulently diverted and sold into the U.S. marketplace, a development that prompted the recall and additional inquiries.
The potential presence of sharp metal and plastic foreign material in the cans could pose a hazard to dogs, Mars said in the announcement, outlining risks such as choking, lacerations, or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract. Health risks from ingestion of sharp objects can be severe, and Mars urged pets’ owners who purchased the affected products to stop feeding them and contact Pedigree for a replacement. Veterinarians were advised to assist consumers who may have already fed the product to their dogs.
Mars is cooperating with authorities to determine how the products entered the market and reiterated its commitment to helping consumers identify and remove the affected items from use. The recall comes amid ongoing vigilance around pet-food safety and quality controls, with the company stressing that no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date.
As part of the recall process and for consumer safety, Mars emphasized that affected products should not be fed to pets and that replacement options are available through Pedigree. The situation shows why supply-chain oversight and recalls in maintaining consumer trust in pet-food brands and the broader food-safety framework.
