Open Farm removes six dog food products over plastic film issue

Open Farm has pulled select lots of six dog food products from the market after finding small pieces of soft, food-grade plastic film in limited production runs. The company said the material is non-toxic, thin, malleable, and “does not pose a health risk for dogs,” and described the action as a quality-related market removal rather than a safety recall. The affected products, announced by Open Farm on December 23, 2024, include five Freeze-Dried Raw Morsel recipes for dogs and one Front Range Ancient Grains RawMix recipe. Open Farm said the issue stemmed from liner material on some raw protein ingredients that wasn’t fully removed before manufacturing, and that retailers were asked to remove affected lots while distributors destroyed remaining inventory. (openfarmpet.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this looks less like an acute toxicology event and more like a client communication issue around product quality, lot identification, and what qualifies as a recall versus a market withdrawal. FDA guidance distinguishes recalls, market withdrawals, and public warnings, and foreign material can trigger regulatory action depending on risk. In this case, Open Farm and secondary reporting both said no health risk to dogs was identified, but clinics may still hear from concerned pet parents who want help checking lot numbers, finding alternatives, or deciding whether mild GI signs warrant follow-up. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Watch for whether FDA posts any additional enforcement details, and whether Open Farm expands or closes out the affected lot list as replacement product moves through retail channels. (truthaboutpetfood.com)