Mold in Halo food?

I have been buying cans of Halo Spot's Stew wholesome lamb formula at Petco, but I recently ordered a case of it from chewy.com for the first time. I opened the case this morning and popped open one of the cans. As I was dishing it out, I noticed that there were tiny white spots mixed in the food that looked like mold. I really hope this is not the case. I have never seen these spots in the cans that I purchased from the store. I emailed the company to ask them about it, but in the meantime, does anyone know what the white spots could be?

I would show you a picture if a could, but I panicked and threw the can away! The can had an expiration date of 8-8-16.

Tabbysia said:

I have been buying cans of Halo Spot's Stew wholesome lamb formula at Petco, but I recently ordered a case of it from chewy.com for the first time. I opened the case this morning and popped open one of the cans. I really hope this is not the case. I have never seen these spots in the cans that I purchased from the store. I emailed the company to ask them about it, but in the meantime, does anyone know what the white spots could be?

I would show you a picture if a could, but I panicked and threw the can away! The can had an expiration date of 8-8-16.

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I would like to point out that the particular food you are feeding is too high in fat. This increases a cat's risk of heart disease. It is also much too low in protein. Every cell in a cat's body requires protein. The fiber content is way too high. Cats are unable to digest fiber. Their bodies don't absorb fiber at all. Too much fiber is only going to lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Siold said:

Tabbysia said:

I have been buying cans of Halo Spot's Stew wholesome lamb formula at Petco, but I recently ordered a case of it from chewy.com for the first time. I opened the case this morning and popped open one of the cans. I really hope this is not the case. I have never seen these spots in the cans that I purchased from the store. I emailed the company to ask them about it, but in the meantime, does anyone know what the white spots could be?


I would show you a picture if a could, but I panicked and threw the can away! The can had an expiration date of 8-8-16.

Click to expand...

I would like to point out that the particular food you are feeding is too high in fat. This increases a cat's risk of heart disease. It is also much too low in protein. Every cell in a cat's body requires protein. The fiber content is way too high. Cats are unable to digest fiber. Their bodies don't absorb fiber at all. Too much fiber is only going to lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Click to expand...

Here on The Cat Site, we all can get very opinionated about cat food and what is "best". What's really important to remember here is that none of us, including yourself, are vets or feline nutritional experts. Since you do not know Tabbysia's cat, you really can't say for sure what is best for it. She's been a member here for a bit so although I don't remember what the issue is, I do know her cat has some health issues and needs to be on a specific diet. What she is feeding most likely falls into what her cat needs. Every cat is different and there is no one perfect diet.

Tabbysia said:

I have been buying cans of Halo Spot's Stew wholesome lamb formula at Petco, but I recently ordered a case of it from chewy.com for the first time. I opened the case this morning and popped open one of the cans. As I was dishing it out, I noticed that there were tiny white spots mixed in the food that looked like mold. I really hope this is not the case. I have never seen these spots in the cans that I purchased from the store. I emailed the company to ask them about it, but in the meantime, does anyone know what the white spots could be?

I would show you a picture if a could, but I panicked and threw the can away! The can had an expiration date of 8-8-16.

Click to expand...

Is it possible some fat congealed into clumps?

I suppose it is possible that it could be some fat, but I'm not sure. I was a little alarmed when I saw it.

Halo Spot's Stew may not be the perfect food, but for now it is one of the very few grain-free, carageenan-free, turkey-free foods that my extremely picky cat with IBD will consistently eat AND keep down. I have said this same thing about other foods in the past, as what she will eat and tolerate keeps changing. As long as she is not vomiting and (finally) maintaining her weight, Halo is what I will have to stick with for now. She does eat Blue Basics dry duck and the wet Pride rabbit and Pride lamb as well.

As for the special diet that was mentioned, she was on a duck only diet (per the vet) for a while, but she wouldn't do it anymore, and really doesn't need to, since I have discovered that she can and will tolerate other proteins.

As for my male cat without IBD, I can see how the high fat could be a problem, but he does not like Halo. He is a dry food addict (I know) and also very picky, but I have been able to get him to eat the canned Pride products with some consistency.

I haven't bought Halo's Stew in a couple of months. My cats wouldn't eat it. I do remember it looking a bit odd. I think I might have one can left in the cupboard. If it's still there, I'll open it up the next time my feral visits and take a photo and make a note of the expiry date.

AbbysMom said:

Is it possible some fat congealed into clumps?

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This is what I'm guessing at as well! I also buy Halo and use it as part of my rotation. I have noticed the "white bits" only once, and it was a can of Halo Lamb. I have never seen it since, and I haven't seen  it in their other cans either. I use mostly the Turkey ones from them

Sorry, the can is not Halo Stew. It's Halo Impulse, Rabbit and Garden something or other. Will still check when I open it.

cocheezie said:

 
Sorry, the can is not Halo Stew. It's Halo Impulse, Rabbit and Garden something or other. Will still check when I open it.

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I bought a couple of cans of the Halo Impulse rabbit with garden greens also and it was soundly rejected by all 3 cats. Henry (new foster) is not the picky eater his sisters are and he wouldn't touch it. It's a pate but it seemed drier than most pates. My cats are just not fans of Halo's products at all. The Spot's stew isn't a favorite either. I gave a can to Henry and he did eat the pate part but left all the vegetables behind

My cat that does like the stew gobbles it up vegetables and all. Maybe there is enough gravy or broth or something on them to make them taste good to her. I have offered her the Impulse quail and garden greens. She didn't eat it quite as well.

I'm still waiting for Halo to get back to me. I have fed a few other cans that did not have the white stuff in them.

I feed Halo Spots stew-chicken and turkey and I do not really know what the white spots are w/o doing a microbiology test on them-I have not seen them . But I will offer that my cat rejects a can now and then for no reason I can find. So I do think sometimes they are have gone bad. I believe u deserve a refund.

I did hear back from Halo today. They told me the same thing that a couple of you have already said--that the white spots are lamb fat. They said that the food is safe and that they have never had any recalls or any problems with mold contamination. They did not ask to see pictures or anything, so maybe they have dealt with this question before?