Manna Pro recalls chicken starter feed

The recall​ was based on high sodium levels being found in the medicated feed product and is voluntary, said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency announced the recall on Friday.

“Customers who purchased Manna Pro Chick Starter Medicated (MADE 11/23/15 WP-2) 25 pound bags should stop feeding the product immediately and contact Manna Pro,” ​said the FDA. A full refund is being provided for customers with the altered product.

An investigation into what caused the high sodium levels is currently in progress, said Rob McCoy, company vice president, nutrition and quality assurance.

“We have some additional test measures in place now to ensure that product going out now is not similarly affected,” ​he told FeedNavigator.

Customers who have purchased the product or have questions are being encouraged to contact Manna Pro, he said. “If they have the product we want them to discontinue use and give us a call, and if they have any concerns just get in contact with us,”​ he added.

Event details​

The medicated feed product was examined after customer feedback, said the FDA. Samples of the product provided by customers were evaluated.

“To date, three customers have reported losses in their flocks,” ​the agency said. “Testing of samples submitted by customers has shown an elevated level of salt.”​

Excessive salt intake in birds may result in “increased water consumption, anorexia, and weight loss,” ​said the FDA, and it also can lead to bird death. Symptoms may be more visible when there is limited water availability.

The recall is limited to a single lot of the 25-pound bags of the medicated feed product, said the FDA. “No other Manna Pro products and no other lots or sizes of Chick Stater Medicated are involved,” ​it added.

The item was distributed from November 23 through April 7 and was sold to retail stores in California, Nevada, Oregon and Hawaii, the agency said. “Stores who received the product from the lot in question have removed it from their shelves,”​ it added.

The recall has been progressing and only a limited amount of the feed product was affected, said McCoy. “It’s very isolated; it’s a small quantity overall.”​

“It’s going well,” ​he said. “We never like when these happen, but it is progressing.” ​

The product was sold in yellow and white bags made of woven plastic, said the FDA. “The lot number (MADE 11/23/15 WP-2) is printed on the white strip sewn across the bottom of the bag,”​ the agency added.

Past recalls​

The Missouri-based company is not the first to run into challenges with high levels of sodium in chicken or poultry feed.

Previously, Cargill’s animal nutrition business recalled​ a broiler feed product for similar concerns. In broilers, excess sodium levels may cause pulmonary hypertension, reduced growth rate, wet droppings and litter along with increased mortality.