Laub’s Feeding & Cubing, Inc. of Beryl, Utah, announced Tuesday that it is voluntarily recalling up to 89 tons of Grade A Mini Hay Cubes. The company said the product could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause botulism. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted the announcement the same day.
According to the company, botulism can cause severe and potentially fatal poisoning in animals that eat contaminated food. Symptoms can include muscle weakness and tremors, trouble swallowing or vocalizing, loss of muscle tone such as “floppy tail,” and trouble breathing. Other signs listed are colic, constipation, swollen abdomen and inability to urinate. The company said animals with any of these symptoms need immediate veterinary care.
The recall began after the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food received reports of illness and death in horses in southern Utah and nearby areas. The department first heard of several sick horses on one farm, three of which had died. On Nov. 2, it received more reports of affected horses in southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona.
The cause of the deaths has not been confirmed, the announcement said. Testing of feed cubes sold at southern Utah facilities is underway to find the cause. The number of sick horses has also not been confirmed.
The hay cubes were sold from Oct. 3 to Oct. 31 at Paragonah Farm in Paragonah, Utah, or at the Feed Store in St. George, Utah. They were sold in 1,500-pound totes (large bulk containers) and in bulk. The company said some customers may have passed the product on to other locations or buyers. It said distribution could include Utah, northern Arizona, Nevada and Southern California.
Customers who have the cubes should not feed them to animals and are encouraged to return them to the place of origin. If the product is not returned, the company said it should be kept in a secure, covered place that animals cannot reach. Customers should then contact the company for instructions. The announcement did not say whether refunds will be offered.
Horse owners should contact a veterinarian right away if a horse shows neurologic signs, according to the announcement. These may include depression, colic or poor coordination. Adverse events can be reported to the FDA through a reporting page for horse and livestock feed problems linked in the announcement.
The company began notifying customers directly on Nov. 3. Customers with questions can call the company at 1-435-439-5531, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.
