Years dog food recall ends: FSA finds no food safety risk

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed there is no food safety risk linked to Years dog food after a two month investigation into reports of sudden dry eye in dogs, and the subscription brand is now resuming deliveries.

Owners who feed their dog Years fresh meals have an update this week. The Food Standards Agency has confirmed there is no evidence of a food safety risk, and the subscription dog food company is restarting deliveries this month with a changed recipe.

The UK subscription brand pulled all of its fresh meals, apart from its Chef's Collection range, in August after receiving reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye, a condition that stops tear production and can lead to permanent damage if it is not treated quickly.

What the investigation found

Years carried out its own investigation, including testing of its food, ingredients and manufacturing processes. The company said this work found no evidence linking its food, ingredients or manufacturing processes to the reported cases.

That finding has now been checked by the regulator. The Food Standards Agency has confirmed to UK Pet Food that no evidence of a food safety risk has been identified and that it has no further action planned at this stage.

The regulator has found no food safety risk, but vets are still investigating why some dogs developed sudden dry eye.

The question that is still open

Clearing the food does not fully close the case. Vets who specialise in eye conditions are continuing to look into why a number of dogs developed the condition at around the same time. The British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists is continuing its independent investigation into the apparent rise in cases of sudden bilateral dry eye in dogs, regardless of diet, so the cause itself has not yet been pinned down.

What owners should do

• If your dog has eaten Years fresh meals and developed redness, discharge, squinting, excessive blinking or pawing at the eyes or face, contact your vet
• The company has reformulated its recipes, removing buckwheat, and is resuming fresh meal deliveries this month
• If you still have concerns about a recipe or a past order, Years' own customer channels can confirm what was affected and when

If your dog does need eye treatment or further vet checks after this, you can compare local prices before booking an appointment.

This is general information. For advice about your own pet, call your vet.