The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting an investigation into the deaths and illnesses of dogs that consumed pet food contaminated with a potent toxin called aflatoxin. The pet food is made by Diamond Pet Food at its Gaston, South Carolina facility.

According to a FDA release, aflatoxin comes from a fungus found on corn and other crops and can cause severe liver damage in pets. Symptoms which may indicate aflatoxin consumption include sluggishness, loss of appetite, jaundice, severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhoea, fever.

FDA has discovered that some of the recalled product was exported to at least 29 countries, including countries within the European Union. These countries have been notified.

FDA is continuing to investigate the situation and is working closely with the state feed regulatory agencies in the affected states.