Pedigree dog food recall: check lot codes 613C3KKCFC, 613C1KKCFC

Mars Petcare US has voluntarily recalled two lots of Pedigree canned dog food after the company said the cans, which had been sent for destruction during quality control, were later found in the U.S. marketplace and may contain sharp metal or plastic. The company named the product as Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor in 13.2-ounce cans and identified the affected lot codes as 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC. If you own cans with those lot codes, do not feed them to your pet and contact Pedigree for a replacement (Pedigree/Mars Petcare announcement, reported July 2 by Fox Business). Pedigree contact page (company guidance).

Take action now: stop feeding any affected cans, secure the product away from pets and children, and follow Pedigree’s instructions for returns or replacements. If your pet is showing signs of illness after possible exposure, contact your veterinarian immediately (Mars Petcare statement as reported by Fox Business).

Pedigree dog food recall: what the recall covers

The recall covers 13.2-ounce cans of Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor labeled with lot codes 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC. Mars Petcare said these lots did not meet the company’s safety and quality standards and had been sent to a third-party vendor for destruction as part of routine quality control (company announcement, reported July 2 by Fox Business).

Owners should check the lot code printed on the can or the packaging. If the lot code matches one of the two listed above, stop using the product and follow replacement instructions from Pedigree or the retailer where you purchased it (Pedigree contact).

Health risk and recommended actions

Mars warned the affected cans may contain sharp metal or plastic foreign material. Such contamination can cause immediate hazards to dogs, including choking, cuts to the mouth or throat and internal lacerations; in some cases, ingestion of sharp fragments can lead to obstruction that requires emergency veterinary care (Mars Petcare statement via Fox Business).

Recommended steps for consumers:

How these cans entered the market

According to Mars, the two lots were intended for destruction after failing to meet the company’s standards and had been sent to a third-party vendor for that purpose. Mars says it later discovered the product had been fraudulently diverted and sold into the U.S. marketplace rather than being destroyed; the company characterized the diversion as an allegation and said it is cooperating with authorities as part of an ongoing probe to determine how the cans entered retail channels (Mars Petcare statement, reported by Fox Business).

Because the company described the diversion as an allegation and investigations are ongoing, consumers and retailers should expect additional information as authorities and Mars continue their review (company statement cited in Fox Business coverage).

What to watch next

As of July 2, Mars reported no illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled cans (company announcement as reported by Fox Business). That status is current to the date of the company’s statement and could change if new reports emerge; monitor Mars/Pedigree communications and retailer notices for updates.

What consumers can expect going forward:

• Mars and Pedigree have said they will work with retailers and authorities to remove affected products and facilitate replacements (company statement reported July 2).
• Retailers and online marketplaces may post recall notices and return procedures; keep receipts and product packaging to speed verification and replacement.
• Check the Pedigree contact page and company announcements for the latest guidance and any additional lot codes or product details.

Background: recall context and safety notes

Pet food recalls commonly stem from contamination, foreign materials, labeling issues or other safety concerns. Sharp metal or plastic in canned pet food presents both immediate and internal injury risks: choking, cuts to the mouth or digestive tract, and blockages that in some cases require imaging or surgery by a veterinarian. Prompt veterinary attention improves outcomes when foreign material ingestion is suspected.

Routine safety tips for pet owners: inspect cans before feeding, keep opened cans refrigerated and used within the recommended time, and store pet food securely. If you discover foreign material in pet food, document the package, stop using the product, and contact the manufacturer and your retailer to report the issue.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if my can is affected?
Look for the lot code printed on the bottom or rim of the can or on the box. The recalled lot codes are 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC on 13.2-ounce Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor cans. If you find one of those lot codes, do not feed the product and contact Pedigree for instructions (Pedigree contact page).

What should I do if my dog ate the recalled food?
If your dog consumed an affected can, watch for symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing or bleeding. Contact your veterinarian immediately and mention the recall and possible foreign-object ingestion so the clinic can advise whether imaging or emergency care is needed.

How do I get a replacement from Pedigree?
Pedigree is offering replacements for affected products. Use the company’s consumer contact page at https://www.pedigree.com/contact-us to report affected products and follow the instructions provided for returns or replacements (company guidance reported July 2).

Source attribution: This article is based on the company announcement from Mars Petcare as reported by Fox Business. See the original coverage: Popular pet food recalled over possible sharp metal and plastic contamination (Fox Business reporting of Mars/Pedigree statement).

Image alt text 1: Pedigree High Protein canned dog food subject to recall.
Image alt text 2: Mars Petcare says affected cans may have sharp metal or plastic.