Two Lots of Pedigree Dog Food Recalled Over Metal, Plastic

Mars Petcare US pulled two lots of Pedigree dog food from shelves July 2. The recall covers 13.2-ounce cans of High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor. Lot codes 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC are affected.

The cans failed Mars' quality checks and were sent to a third-party vendor for destruction. The company later discovered the product had been fraudulently diverted and sold into the U.S. market.

"The potential presence of sharp metal and plastic foreign material in the cans could pose a hazard to your dog," Mars said in the recall notice. Health risks include choking, lacerations, or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported. Mars said it is working with authorities to determine how the cans entered the marketplace.

Consumers who bought the affected cans should not feed them to their pets. Pedigree is offering replacements. Anyone concerned after feeding the product to a dog should contact a veterinarian.

The recall is limited to two production lots. The fraudulent diversion raises questions about supply-chain controls in the pet food industry. Mars said it has taken steps to prevent a repeat, though it did not detail those steps.