Cargill's animal nutrition business announced that it is conducting a voluntary recall of select Southern States feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed the Food & Drug Administration's action levels.

The affected products, which were manufactured and sold in the eastern U.S., were removed from retail shelves throughout February, March and April 2019. Livestock, horses and poultry exposed to aflatoxin are at risk of exposure to several health hazards.

Aflatoxicosis has the same acute and chronic adverse effects and health consequences across all species and age classes (immature and mature), Cargill noted. Immature animals are more sensitive to aflatoxins. Acute aflatoxicosis may result in generalized hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea and death in one to three days. In addition, aflatoxin toxicity can cause reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, liver damage, jaundice and eventually death.

No adverse health effects to animals have been reported to date. Nonetheless, Cargill is taking this voluntary step out of an abundance of caution.

The affected products were manufactured at Cargill's Cleveland, N.C., facility. Cargill first learned of the issue when it received a notification from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture of test results showing that a single lot of a specific Southern States product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. Cargill has identified and corrected the root cause.

Affected products were recalled from retail outlets and distributors in the Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia markets and were removed from retail shelves throughout February, March and April 2019.

Cargill said consumers and other end users who have any of the affected lots in their possession should return remaining product to their local dealer or retailer for a replacement or full refund. A list of products is posted at www.cargill.com/2019/cargill-conducts-voluntary-recall-of-select-southern-states-feed. For more information, call 800-822-1012.

Cargill noted that product safety and animal well-being are top priorities and said the recall is being conducted with the knowledge of and in cooperation with FDA.