Statement – Cold Pressed River Fish batch 01/2026

Bemo brand statement concerning batch 01/2026 of Cold Pressed River Fish food

Dear Customers,

In connection with posts published in the media concerning the batch of Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish food marked with the number 01/2026, as the responsible entity we would like to present our official position and explain the steps we have taken to ensure the full safety of our products.

In the first quarter of 2026 we received isolated complaints about Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish food from batch 01/2026. The complaints concerned the appearance of mould in the product after it had been opened and stored for about two weeks.

Following an internal technological analysis, we established that batch 01/2026 had a higher moisture content than the standard assumption. Under certain conditions of improper storage, this could increase the risk of secondary mould growth after the packaging had been opened. From the outset, the manufacturer has recommended storing Cold Pressed food in a dry, cool place and, once opened, at a temperature of around 5°C.

In view of the risk identified, we took immediate preventive action:

  • laboratory tests of Bemo Cold Pressed food were carried out by Grupa Azoty Jednostka Ratownictwa Chemicznego Sp. z o.o. in Tarnów, which issued test report No. ZL/01267/M/002312/05718/2026 of 27.02.2026 concerning Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish – cold-pressed food for dogs with river fish,
  • we suspended sales of Cold Pressed food from batch 01/2026,
  • we commissioned additional laboratory tests of the retained samples,
  • we developed a new batch of the product with greater technological stability,
  • we introduced additional quality control procedures concerning product moisture.

We would also like to address, on the merits, the handling of the complaint that started the public discussion about the potential harmfulness of Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish food from batch 01/2026 and the presence of mycotoxins in this food. At the beginning of February 2026, one of Bemo's Customers joined our Breeders' Club and placed an order for Bemo products. At their request, a 1 kg trial bag of Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish food was added to the order free of charge.

At the beginning of March 2026 we received a report from this customer concerning the free 1 kg pack, in which mould had been found after some time. We accepted this complaint immediately and offered the customer an exchange for any other product or the option to wait for a new delivery. In the end, an exchange for 1 kg of Cold Pressed Lamb food was agreed by telephone, and this was delivered to the customer. After receiving the new food, the Customer thanked us by e-mail for the smooth exchange and rated the quality of the new product positively. A few days later, at the Customer's request, Bemo also accepted the return of the remaining (full-value) products purchased earlier, refunding the full amount to their account and arranging transport at its own expense.

It was only at the end of May 2026 – almost three months after the food exchange procedure had been closed – that the company received a message suggesting a possible link between the incidental consumption of the trial batch of food by the customer's bitch in early pregnancy and losses in the litter of puppies.

We wish to emphasise that, to date, the company has not been presented with any laboratory test results, toxicological expert reports, expert opinions or official veterinary documentation (e.g. from post-mortem examinations of the puppies) that would confirm any causal link between feeding Bemo Cold Pressed River Fish food and the event described.

We would point out that attributing toxic effects to a product, including a causal link between eating the food and the death of puppies, requires – according to current veterinary knowledge – test results and specialist opinions. Until such evidence is obtained, categorical claims of this kind are hypotheses and may mislead the public as to the properties of the product.

The hypothesis put forward by the customer regarding the potential effect of mycotoxins is a supposition and has not been supported by scientific evidence. According to current veterinary knowledge, the occurrence of developmental defects or litter losses alone does not provide a basis for identifying a specific source without detailed diagnostic and toxicological tests.

In connection with suggestions made publicly about an alleged link between Bemo food and the events described by the Customer, we would like to inform you that the matter has been referred to our legal department for analysis.

We note with satisfaction that the Author of the earlier posts has published an official clarifying statement in which they made it clear that it was not their intention to categorically accuse the Bemo brand, and confirmed that they have no tests linking the loss of the litter to our food and that their statements were in the nature of questions and an analysis of hypotheses. We appreciate this clarification, which allows a return to a factual dialogue.

For many years the Bemo brand has pursued its mission of providing dogs with safe, nutritious, high-quality food. We cannot remain indifferent to publicly made allegations that are not confirmed either by the evidence presented to us or by the results of the laboratory tests carried out.

The good name of a business, including the Bemo brand, is legally protected as a personal right under Articles 23–24 in conjunction with Article 43 of the Polish Civil Code. Our response is intended solely to present the facts, the test results and the course of the complaint handling.

We respect every customer's right to make complaints, ask questions and express their concerns. At the same time, we will respond firmly to any actions that may damage the good name of our brand, mislead customers or undermine the trust built over years of reliable work for the health and well-being of dogs.

Our duty to our customers is to base our communication on facts, test results and expert knowledge. That is why we will not allow the long-standing mission of the Bemo brand – supporting the health of dogs through responsible nutrition – to be shaken by unconfirmed accusations and speculation that have no basis in the available evidence.

We thank our Customers for their trust and assure you that we will continue to maintain the highest standards of quality and transparency in our communication.

Kind regards,
The Bemo Team