Vegan dog food maker Veganpet sues supplier over recalled batch that killed seven dogs

Gippsland-based vegan dog food brand Veganpet is suing its supplier after a toxic batch of dry biscuits killed seven dogs and caused illness in more than 60 others.

A vegan dog food manufacturer is being sued over claims it produced a toxic batch of biscuits which killed seven dogs and caused illness to more than 60 others.

Veganpet dry dog food was recalled in October 2020 after it was linked to an outbreak of megaesophagus, an incurable condition which causes lifelong eating difficulties or death.

Documents lodged in the County Court of Victoria by SNH Products, the owner of Veganpet, reveal the company has paid out $232,000 in damages to 33 dog owners.

The company is now suing the manufacturer of the toxic batch, Advanced Pet Care of Australia.

According to court documents, expert testing found toxic levels of fumonisin B1 and fumonisin B2 linked to a contaminated corn-derived ingredient.

A toxic batch of dog biscuits it alleged to have killed seven dogs. Picture: Supplied

Veganpet is suing for damages and costs, claiming the manufacturer was responsible for the “contamination event” which caused them loss of business, profits and reputation.

The toxic batch of dry biscuits was manufactured in June 2020 in a volume of 22,155kg at a facility in Western Australia.

Veganpet, based in the Gippsland town of Nar Nar Goon, was made aware of associated pet illnesses four months later following correspondence from The Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA).

In its voluntary recall message, Veganpet wrote: “We feel greatly for those that have lost a family member to megaoesophagus, or whose dogs may have been diagnosed with the condition.”

“Veganpet has been produced safely for over twenty years by our same manufacturer and there has been no change in the quality, formulation or process used in the product as it is supplied to us,” the message said.

Veganpet dry dog food was recalled in October 2020 due to links to several dog deaths and illnesses.

The toxic batch of dry biscuits was manufactured in June 2020

Its website states it uses “human grade, Australian grown, organic (when available) raw ingredients” in its pet food products.

Unlike in other countries such as New Zealand and the US, there are no mandatory standards for pet food in Australia.

Here it is self-regulated, with voluntary industry standards applied through the PFIAA, but no mandatory recall system for pet foods deemed potentially dangerous or deadly.

There is also minimal government oversight of the industry.

In 2018, it was revealed more than 100 dogs became ill or died after eating top-shelf dog food brand, Advanced Dermocare.

Some of the dogs who died were part of the Victoria Police dog squad.