5 Important Reasons to Document Pet Food Lot Numbers – Truth about Pet Food

The small print on your pet food label could be important information you need to save. Unfortunately it is often the most neglected information on the label.

The FDA explains a lot number “can be a long or short string of printed numbers and letters found on pet food packaging. Though it’s not required, most companies include the lot number on their products in case there’s a problem with a specific batch of pet food.”

The lot information isn’t always easy to find. Typically a pet owner can find the numbers on the side or bottom of bagged pet food and on the top or bottom of canned pet food (printed on the can, not the label). The FDA gives this example of a lot number:

Why is this information so important for pet owners to document? Here’s 5 reasons:

#1 Information needed by Regulatory.

If your pet became ill you believe is linked to a pet food, one of the most important things any pet owner can do is report the illness (or death) to FDA and/or your State Regulatory authorities. Regulatory needs the lot numbers to – as example – locate an unopened identical pet food for testing. Unfortunately, without the lot numbers to identify the exact batch of pet food – authorities cannot locate an identical product to test and they might not investigate.

To hold a manufacturer accountable and potentially save other pet’s lives – the lot number information is vital.

#2 Information needed by your Veterinarian.

If your pet gets sick from what you and/or your vet believes is linked to a pet food, your vet needs the lot number. You’ll want your veterinarian to report the illness to FDA, and again without the lot number and best by date – that illness report is almost useless. As well, veterinarians often consult with other veterinarians in private forums sharing reports of sick pets believed to be inked to a pet food. Without the lot number and best by date, this teamwork of veterinarian help is extremely limited.

#3 Needed information by the Retailer.

If your pet got sick from a pet food – even mildly – it is a good idea to share this information with the retailer you purchased the pet food from. Responsible retailers pay close attention to customer complaints and will often address problems with the manufacturer. Without the lot number information, your retailer is hindered to investigate a potential problem.

#4 Information needed by the Manufacturer.

If your pet became ill from a pet food, the manufacturer needs to know. The lot number allows the manufacturer to trace almost every aspect of the pet food – from the exact time it was made, to employees that processed the food, and even the supplier of every ingredient. Every aspect of tracing a potential problem with a pet food (from the manufacturer’s perspective) is tied to the lot number.

As well, if a pet owner has a particular question about their pet’s food – the lot number is the only way to get specific information on your bag or can of pet food. As example, if you wanted the manufacturer to share with you any testing results for your pet’s food – you want results specific to the lot of pet food you purchased. Providing the manufacturer the lot number provides you more specific information.

#5 Information needed by You in case of a recall.

When a pet food company issues a recall, the press release provides specific lot numbers and typically best by dates involved. Without pet owners having access to lot numbers, they don’t know if their pet’s food is involved. Many pet food manufacturers have several plants across the U.S., each plant could be producing the same products. However a recall might be specific to products manufactured at one plant (not all plants). The lot number on your pet’s food will help you to know if your product is recalled or it is not.

With every pet food or treat you purchase for your pet – pull out your cell phone and take a picture of the lot number. Keep those records for at least 30 days AFTER your pet consumed the food. Better safe than sorry.

For more information on Lot Numbers – visit the FDA website Here.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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