Mars recalls diverted Pedigree dog food after contamination risk discovered

USA – Mars Petcare US has voluntarily recalled two lots of Pedigree Can High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor dog food after discovering that products intended for destruction were fraudulently diverted into the U.S. marketplace and may contain metal and plastic fragments.

The company said the affected 13.2-ounce canned products failed to meet its internal safety and quality standards and had been sent to a third-party vendor for disposal. 

However, Mars later found that some of the products had entered commercial distribution instead of being destroyed.

The recall applies only to lot codes 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC.

According to Mars, the affected cans may contain hard, sharp pieces of metal and plastic that could pose serious health risks to dogs, including choking, mouth injuries, gastrointestinal lacerations or intestinal blockages.

The company has urged consumers not to feed the recalled products to pets and to contact Pedigree for a replacement. 

Pet owners whose animals may have consumed the product and show signs of illness are advised to seek veterinary attention immediately.

Mars said it is working with relevant authorities to investigate how the products entered the marketplace after being designated for destruction.

The company added that no illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled products had been reported at the time of the announcement.

The incident highlights the importance of supply chain security and product traceability within the pet food industry, where manufacturers continue to strengthen quality assurance systems to protect consumers and maintain confidence in commercial pet food.

Mars strengthens quality and manufacturing investments

The recall comes as Mars continues to invest heavily in product innovation, manufacturing, and digital technologies across its global pet care business.

Earlier this year, Royal Canin’s Shanghai manufacturing plant, part of Mars Petcare, became the first Mars production facility and the first pet food plant worldwide to receive the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network Distinction in Customer Centricity. 

The recognition acknowledged the site’s use of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and advanced manufacturing technologies to improve production efficiency, product quality and customer service.

Mars has also continued expanding its pet nutrition portfolio through science-based innovation. 

In recent years, the company has introduced new veterinary nutrition products, expanded manufacturing capacity in key markets and invested in digital technologies aimed at improving quality control, supply chain visibility and operational efficiency.

The latest recall, however, underscores that even with stringent manufacturing standards, vulnerabilities can arise beyond the production line. 

In this case, Mars indicated the issue was linked to the unauthorised diversion of products that had already been removed from commercial distribution.

The company said it remains committed to maintaining the safety and integrity of its products while supporting efforts to identify and remove the affected cans from the market.

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