Free-choice beef cattle supplements recalled due to excessive urea levels

Rockville, Md.

— Ridley Block Operations initiated a voluntary recall July 29 on one lot of Purina-Lix 38 Hi-E and RangeLand® 38 Hi-E free-choice supplement tubs for beef cattle because softened product may contain excessive levels of urea.

Thirteen cattle from one herd in Oklahoma reportedly have died from consuming some of the product affected by the recall, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA says “signs of urea toxicity include rapid breathing, tremors and slight incoordination followed by severe incoordination, excessive salivation and labored breathing. Eventually, afflicted animals lose the ability to stand.” Affected animals could die within four hours, and FDA cautions cattle producers observing any of these symptoms to call a veterinarian immediately.

Products affected by the recall are Purina Lix 38 Hi-E Tubs 225, sold in red 225-pound plastic tubs) and RangeLand® 38 Hi-E Tubs 225, (sold in tan 225-pound plastic tubs. They were sold in Fort Worth and Lubbock, Texas, and Oklahoma City through retail feeds stores. The lot number for both products, DB 00302716, can be found on the label in the guaranteed analysis panel on the side of the container.

Some of the tubs associated with this lot number contained softened product and levels of urea, a non-protein nitrogen feed ingredient, which exceeded formulated nutrient levels, according to FDA’s recall notice. Especially at risk are beef cattle with limited forage that may over consume free-choice supplement, FDA adds.

Consumers should discontinue use of the product and return it to where it was purchased for a full refund. Questions can be directed to Land O’Lakes Purina customer service at 817/878-0269.