Mars Petcare US issued a voluntary recall on July 2, 2026, for two lots of Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor 13.2-ounce cans. The recall stems from the potential presence of sharp metal and plastic fragments that were fraudulently diverted into the U.S. marketplace after being slated for destruction.
How Recalled Pedigree Cans Entered the Market
The recall involves a specific failure in the disposal chain rather than a standard production error. According to Fox Business, the affected lots failed to meet Mars and Pedigree safety and quality standards during the company’s quality control process. Consequently, the company sent the products to a third-party vendor for destruction.
Instead of being destroyed, the products were “fraudulently diverted” and sold into the U.S. marketplace. The USA Today report confirms that Mars is currently working with federal authorities to investigate how these contaminated cans reached store shelves.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser noted that the Hawaii Department of Health issued alerts for residents, though no specific sales or distribution data is currently available to confirm if the affected lots reached Hawaii specifically.
Identifying Affected Lot Codes and Products
The recall is limited to a specific flavor and size. Owners should check the bottom of their cans for the following identifiers:
- Product: Pedigree High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor for dogs
- Size: 13.2-ounce cans
- Lot Codes: 613C3KKCFC and 613C1KKCFC
Consumers who possess these cans are instructed to stop feeding the product to their pets immediately. WKRC reports that customers should contact Pedigree to initiate a replacement.
Health Risks and Warning Signs for Pet Owners
While Mars reports that no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date, the physical risks of ingesting foreign materials are significant.
“The potential presence of sharp metal and plastic foreign material in the cans could pose a hazard to your dog,”
Mars Petcare US, via Fox Business
According to the FDA, the health risks range from choking to lacerations or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract. For owners whose pets may have consumed the food, USA Today highlights specific emergency symptoms to monitor:
| Condition | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Choking | “Tripod position” (leaning forward on front legs), drooling, gagging, pawing at the mouth, or blue-tinged gums. |
| GI Blockage | Vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, or abdominal pain. |
| GI Laceration | Vomiting with bright red or coffee-ground blood, dark tarry stool, and pale gums. |
Veterinary consultation is urged for any pet owner concerned about ingestion.
Broader Context of Recent Food Safety Recalls
The Pedigree incident is part of a wider pattern of contamination and safety alerts affecting both human and pet food in 2026. The diversity of these recalls—ranging from fraudulent diversion to laboratory errors—underscores the volatility of the current supply chain.
Recent safety actions include:
- Human Food: The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a Class I recall for Rosina Food Products' ready-to-eat frozen meatballs sold at Aldi due to metal fragments.
- Pet Food: Go Raw LLC expanded a February 17, 2026, recall of its Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe due to low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1).
- Consumer Goods: The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled over 1.7 million Cuisinart metal wire bristle grill brushes because bristles could detach and be ingested.
The contrast between the Pedigree case and the Great Value nuggets is particularly sharp. While the nuggets were cleared due to a laboratory error, the Pedigree cans were confirmed contaminated and deliberately diverted back into the market. This introduces a criminal element to the safety risk that is absent in standard manufacturing errors.
Mars continues to work with authorities to trace the diversion point. For consumers, the primary recourse remains checking lot codes and contacting Pedigree Consumer Care at 1-800-525-5273 for replacements.
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