No IAMS or Eukanuba recall was found as of October 19, 2026. What is new is a Clean Label Project study, released October 2, that found detectable lead in 99% of the 100 cat foods it tested, including at least two IAMS dry foods. The study does not show that those foods are unsafe, and we found no open IAMS lawsuit settlement or claim form.
This page separates what is confirmed from what is being repeated online: IAMS's recall history, what the study does and does not say, and which IAMS lawsuits are real.
At a glance: IAMS in October 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a current IAMS recall? | None found in the FDA's recall lists (current to October 17, 2026) or in news coverage |
| Latest IAMS cat food recall found | August 15, 2013 (Salmonella, dry food) |
| What is the new cat food study? | Clean Label Project, October 2, 2026: 100 cat foods from 62 brands |
| Is IAMS in the study? | At least two IAMS ProActive Health dry foods are on the tested list. IAMS results are not public. |
| Mars Petcare recall in 2026 | PEDIGREE wet dog food, July 2, 2026. Not IAMS. |
| Open IAMS settlement or claim form | None found |
Has IAMS cat food been recalled?
Yes, but not recently. The IAMS recalls we found are:
| Date | Recall |
|---|---|
| March 2007 | The Menu Foods melamine recall included IAMS and Eukanuba canned and pouch products. Procter & Gamble owned IAMS then. |
| June 2010 | Canned ProActive Health cat and kitten food, for low thiamine |
| August 15, 2013 | Certain dry dog and cat food lots, for possible Salmonella (about 0.1% of production, no illnesses reported) |
We found no IAMS or Eukanuba recall after 2013. To check a bag, compare its lot code with the FDA's recalls and withdrawals page and the manufacturer's notices.
Does IAMS cat food have lead?
No published result shows how much lead is in a specific IAMS cat food. What exists is a study by the nonprofit Clean Label Project, released October 2, 2026:
- What it tested. 100 cat foods from 62 brands, dry, wet and air-dried or freeze-dried, for more than 120 contaminants.
- What it found. Detectable lead in 99% of products, cadmium in 96% and arsenic in 94%. Dry foods had about three times the lead of wet foods.
- IAMS. Two IAMS ProActive Health dry foods, Healthy Adult with Chicken and Indoor Weight and Hairball Care, appear on the tested list. The group's public pages show no IAMS contaminant numbers.
- Limits. Each product was one batch. The study is not described as peer reviewed, the Pet Food Institute disputes it, and coverage notes that it does not show the foods are unsafe or that any cat was harmed.
The study suggests asking brands whether they test finished products, not just ingredients. If you are worried, ask your veterinarian about your cat's diet and keep the bag and lot code.
Which lawsuits involve IAMS?
No open IAMS class action or claim form was found. The cases that appear online are older:
| Case | Court | What it alleged | Where it stands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishon v. Mars Petcare US | M.D. Tenn. 3:19-cv-00816 | One IAMS dog food, ProActive Health Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain-Free Chicken & Peas, was not grain-free or soy-free | Closed September 2021; we could not confirm how it ended |
| Moore v. Mars Petcare US | N.D. Cal. 3:16-cv-07001 | Prescription pet food price-fixing; Iams Veterinary Formula was one of four brands named | The Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of the antitrust claim in 2020 and revived California consumer-protection claims; later status unconfirmed |
| Wirth v. Mars | C.D. Cal. 15-cv-1470 | Forced labor in the Thai seafood supply chain for cat food | Dismissed in 2016; affirmed July 10, 2018 |
Two lawsuits often linked to IAMS concern other brands. A 2026 suit over "no artificial preservatives" labels names Nutro (Flick v. Mars Petcare, S.D. Cal., filed April 6, 2026), and a 2025 vitamin D suit concerns Pedigree dog food.
What should I do if my cat got sick after eating a pet food?
- Stop feeding it and keep the bag, the lot code and any leftover food.
- Call your veterinarian and keep the records and bills.
- Check the FDA's recall page for the brand and lot code.
- Wash your hands and the bowls. Contaminated pet food, such as food with Salmonella, can also make people sick.
If a product injured you or a family member
If you or someone in your home was injured by a defective consumer product, our Houston personal injury lawyers can review the claim. Contact The Nguyen Law Firm or call (713) 747-7777 for a free case review.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Recalls, studies and case statuses change; the information here is as of October 19, 2026.
Call (713) 747-7777