RCL Foods warns public after condemned pet food stolen and sold in Gauteng

SOUTH AFRICA – RCL Foods, a leading South African consumer goods and food manufacturer, has issued a public health warning after batches of condemned dry pet food, originally sent for destruction, were stolen from a waste management facility in Eastern Gauteng and allegedly resold through informal channels.

The company said the affected products may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause illness in both animals and humans. The stolen stock relates to limited batches identified during in-production quality testing in late January and February 2026, which were never approved for sale.

According to the company, the products were dispatched to a specialist waste management facility for controlled destruction after routine quality control processes detected traces of Salmonella. 

However, some of the condemned stock was diverted and has since surfaced in informal markets, particularly in Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni and Alberton. The products were reportedly being sold at discounted prices, including on social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.

At this stage, RCL Foods says it is not aware of any confirmed cases of illness linked to the stolen batches. Nevertheless, it has urged consumers to exercise extreme caution.

“Our overriding concern is for the health and well-being of shoppers and their pets,” said Chief Executive Officer Paul Cruickshank. He added that the company is working with independent forensic investigators and authorities to trace the source of the theft and remove any remaining stock from circulation. Criminal charges will be pursued against those responsible.

Affected products and health risks

The affected stock is limited to specific batch numbers across several dry pet food brands, including Canine Cuisine, Bonzo, Bobtail, Catmor, Optimizor, and Ultra Pet Dog Food. The company emphasised that all products currently supplied through formal retailers, pet shops and veterinary outlets meet safety standards and are safe for animal consumption.

Salmonella is one of the most common foodborne pathogens globally. In animals, infection can cause diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, dehydration and lethargy. Humans may also become infected through handling contaminated pet food or contact with infected animals, with symptoms including stomach cramps, fever, nausea and diarrhoea. Young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are considered at higher risk of severe illness.

Consumers who believe they may have purchased the affected product, particularly from informal sellers or social media since mid-January, are advised not to feed it to pets, resell it or donate it. The company has activated a 24-hour customer care line and is arranging the collection of suspected stock for safe disposal after verifying batch numbers.

Production controls reinforced

RCL Foods said the condemned batches represented a very small portion of overall production. Following the detection of Salmonella, the plant temporarily paused operations to conduct a comprehensive cleaning and sanitisation programme, with support from external specialists. 

Environmental swabbing and product testing protocols have been reinforced, and full production is expected to resume shortly under heightened monitoring.

The incident highlights the broader risks associated with informal trade in food and feed products. Industry experts have previously warned that supply chain breaches and theft of condemned goods can undermine biosecurity and public health safeguards, particularly when products enter unregulated markets.

RCL Foods has encouraged members of the public with information about the stolen stock to report it through its anonymous tip-off line as investigations continue.

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