Warning to pet owners in South Africa
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a warning to South African pet owners following the recall of certain batches of dry dog and cat food by RCL Foods.
The recall affects multiple product brands, including Bobtail, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Optimizor, Ultra Pet, and Superwoof.
In total, about 55,352 cases were produced between 26 and 29 May, 4 and 5 June, and 17 June 2025 and distributed nationwide.
RCL Foods, the JSE-listed food producer, identified elevated levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) in specific batches of maize used to manufacture the affected pet food.
DON is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by moulds that grow on grains such as maize.
While the mycotoxin is generally considered safe at levels below 1,000 parts per billion (ppb), the affected batches contained levels exceeding 1,000 ppb, or 1 part per million (ppm).
“Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by specific moulds that can grow on grains such as maize, which are tested as part of our quality management systems,” said RCL Foods.
“The presence of DON in these products originated from raw materials used during production.”
“At elevated levels, it typically causes pets to refuse to eat, and if ingested, may lead to temporary digestive upset.”
The company emphasised that only the batches produced on the dates listed above are affected.
“All other RCL Foods products have been thoroughly tested and are safe to feed pets,” the company added.
The NCC advised pet owners to immediately stop feeding their pets the affected products and return them to the point of purchase.
“Pet owners must stop feeding their pets the affected products and should return these to the retailer for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase,” said the NCC.
The commission will monitor the recall to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act.
RCL Foods reassured consumers that safety remains a priority. “The affected products originated from raw materials that were found to have elevated levels of DON.”
“Our quality management systems test for these mycotoxins, and we are taking all necessary steps to remove the affected batches from circulation,” the company said.
Pet owners who have purchased any of the affected batches are urged to check the production dates on their packaging and return the product for a refund or replacement.
Vigilance is critical, as the elevated DON levels can cause loss of appetite and digestive discomfort in pets.
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