On 21 May 2009, Nutro Products voluntarily recalled a few varieties of NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO MAX Cat Dry Foods with a ‘Best If Used By Date’ between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010.

Nutro Dry Cat Food that is affected includes the following:

Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten Food
4 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20607 5
8 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20608 2
9.2 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20695 2 (Bonus Bag)
20 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20609 9
1.5 oz. Bag with UPC Code – none (Sample Bag)

Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult
4 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20610 5
8 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20611 2
9.2 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20694 5 (Bonus Bag)
20 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20612 9
1.5 oz. Bag with UPC Code – none (Sample Bag)

Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Adult Ocean Fish Flavor
4 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20622 8
8 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20623 5
9.2 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20698 3 (Bonus Bag)
20 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 20624 2

Nutro Max Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor
3 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10228 5
6 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10229 2
16 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10230 8
1.5 oz. Bag with UPC Code – none (Sample Bag)

Nutro Max Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor
3 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10243 8
6 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10244 5
16 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10245 2
1.5 oz. Bag with UPC Code – none (Sample Bag)

Nutro Max Cat Indoor Adult Salmon Flavor
3 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10246 9
6 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10247 6
16 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10248 3

Nutro Max Cat Indoor Weight Control
3 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10249 0
6 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10250 6
16 lbs. Bag with UPC Code – 0 79105 10251 3

This cat food recall, not only affects the United States, but also affects Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Israel.

The reason for this recall is that during an audit of documentation on 18 May 2009, from their Illinois based supplier of Nutro’s mineral premixes, incorrect levels of both zinc and potassium were found in Nutro’s finished cat food.

They found that two of the mineral premixes were actually affected: One contained too much zinc and also under-supplemented the potassium. The other premix that was affected contained under-supplemented potassium. Zinc and potassium are vital nutrients for cats to consume and are added to Nutro’s dry cat food as nutritional supplementation.

Nutro is working with every distributor and retail customer in these countries, including the USA. By doing this, Nutro is hoping to ensure that all bags of the recalled products are quickly removed from store shelves.

Nutro recommends that any consumer, who has purchased any of these foods for their cat, should immediately stop feeding the food to their cat.

Even though no consumer complaints have been received regarding these recalled cat food products, Nutro is still advising all cat owners to carefully monitor their cat for the following symptoms: a decrease in appetite, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If a cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, Nutro urges cat owners to immediately take their cat to the veterinarian.

If you have purchased any of the affected products, you should immediately return it to the retailer where you bought it for a full refund or exchange for another Nutro dry cat food product.

Consumers are also encouraged to call Nutro regarding the recalled products at 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST. Nutro also has more information regarding this cat food recall on their website.

This recall from Nutro only affects the above listed cat food and not any of Nutro’s dry dog food, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Photo Credit: Bill in Ash Vegas