Recall Triggered by Health Concerns
Premium dog food subscription service Years has issued a voluntary, full-scale recall of all its fresh meal products following reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The company has instructed customers to stop feeding their pets the food immediately and to refrain from donating or selling the remaining stock.
The move follows a surge in reported cases, which rose from 57 on Sunday to 192 as of Wednesday morning. Out of approximately 40,000 customers, these reports represent a small but statistically significant cluster that has prompted both internal and independent investigations.
The Investigation Focus
Years is currently investigating a potential link between the condition and a recipe change introduced several months ago, which added buckwheat as an ingredient. The company has since removed a blog post from its website that previously touted the safety and benefits of the grain, stating the move was intended to avoid further customer confusion.
A spokesperson for Years confirmed that the company has appointed two independent experts to lead formal root cause and toxicology investigations. While the company stated that an initial assessment by an independent veterinary specialist on August 1 suggested a link was “unlikely,” the decision to proceed with a full recall was made as a precautionary measure while laboratory testing continues. The investigation is specifically looking into whether the buckwheat ingredient was contaminated in the supply chain or if the ingredient itself poses an inherent risk to canine ocular health.
Impact and Veterinary Guidance
KCS, or “dry eye,” is a painful condition where a dog’s eyes fail to produce sufficient tears, leading to inflammation, thick discharge, and, if left unmanaged, permanent sight loss. According to the Royal Kennel Club, symptoms include squinting, light sensitivity, and reddened eyes. Veterinary experts warn that some cases require lifelong management, and response to treatment has been reported as mixed, with some dogs showing slow or limited recovery.
Customers seeking support have formed online communities to share experiences and discuss potential legal avenues. Years has committed to a six-week pause in subscription deliveries, during which time the company plans to reformulate its recipes, replacing buckwheat with quinoa to ensure product safety before resuming operations.