Dog: Years recalls fresh meals after reports of sudden dry eye

The dog food recall involves Years, a U.K.-based fresh-meal subscription company that has withdrawn most or all of its fresh meals after 192 reports of potential eye problems in pets. The company says a link to its food or buckwheat has not been established, and testing is still underway. FOX Business

Years recalls fresh meals after reports of sudden dry eye

Years said reports began in late July, when owners reported cases of sudden bilateral dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS. The condition affects both eyes and occurs when an animal does not produce enough tears, potentially causing irritation, redness and discomfort. If severe or untreated, it can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and vision loss. The Guardian

The company initially reported 57 suspected cases as of Aug. 16. By the early hours of Wednesday, it said it had received 192 reports of “potential, yet unverified” eye issues among roughly 40,000 customers, according to The Guardian. The earlier figure was described as about 0.1% of customers served so far this year by FOX Business.

Years has linked the investigation to buckwheat, an ingredient added to its meals several months ago. The company is examining whether part of its buckwheat supply may have been contaminated, but available reporting does not establish contamination or a causal connection between the ingredient, the meals and the reported illnesses.

What the recall covers

The company told customers to stop feeding the recalled fresh meals to their pets immediately and not to give them to any other animal, donate them or sell them, according to The Guardian.

FOX Business reported that Years was pulling nearly all of its fresh meals while testing continued, with the exception of meals in its Chef’s Collection, a limited-edition tier. The Guardian described the action as a recall of all fresh meals. The differing descriptions mean the exact scope of the recall is not fully consistent across the available reports.

Years said the affected recipes contained between 6.3% and 7.2% buckwheat, depending on the formulation. It is replacing buckwheat with quinoa while the investigation continues, FOX Business reported.

The Guardian said the meals were sold through Years’ subscription service and were also available at some retailers, including Pets at Home. The reports identify Years as a U.K.-based company; they do not establish whether particular products were sold in Canada.

What is known about the reported eye condition

The reports describe KCS as a painful condition in which the eyes cannot produce enough tears. Signs can include rubbing the eyes, squinting, sensitivity to light, inflammation, redness and thick discharge, according to information cited by The Guardian.

The response to treatment has varied among affected pets. Years told The Guardian that some ophthalmologists had seen dogs respond well, while others had reported slower or limited improvement. Some veterinary websites cited in the report say the condition can require lifelong management, but the available reporting does not establish the prognosis for the individual animals involved.

One owner, David Felton, said his six-year-old spaniel cross, Cookie, developed eye problems after eating Years meals and was later diagnosed by a specialist with bilateral dry eye. He told the Press Association that treatment and veterinary costs had reached about £1,500. His account is an individual report and does not establish that the food caused Cookie’s condition. Yahoo Finance Canada

Investigation remains unresolved

Years said it decided to recall the meals after the number of reports increased and after receiving input from customer advocates and ophthalmologists. FOX Business reported that an independent veterinarian and small-animal clinical nutrition specialist had initially advised on Aug. 1 that a connection to the food appeared unlikely based on the information then available, while recommending further investigation.

Laboratory and toxicology testing of the buckwheat supply was continuing as of the latest reports. The confirmed current status is therefore a broad recall and an ongoing investigation—not a verified finding that Years meals or buckwheat caused the reported eye problems.