UK dog food company Years has voluntarily recalled nearly all of its fresh meals after 192 customers reported potential eye problems in their dogs, including sudden bilateral dry eye, a condition that can cause serious corneal damage and vision problems if untreated.
The recall covers all Years Fresh Meals except the Chef’s Collection. Years says buckwheat, introduced into its recipes earlier in 2026, is being investigated as a possible contributing factor, including whether part of the ingredient supply was contaminated. The company stresses in its official recall notice that no causal link between the food, buckwheat and the reported illnesses has been established.
Years Recalls Fresh Dog Meals Across the UK
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Years said it began receiving multiple reports of dogs developing sudden bilateral dry eye in late July. On August 1, an independent veterinarian and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons specialist in small animal clinical nutrition initially considered a connection with Years food unlikely based on the available information, while recommending further investigation.
By August 16, Years had recorded 57 suspected cases among roughly 40,000 customers served during 2026. Rising case numbers, information from veterinary ophthalmologists and evidence focusing attention on buckwheat led the company to issue a voluntary recall on August 17.
The number of reports subsequently increased sharply. Years said that by 9 p.m. on August 18, 192 customers had reported potential, but still unverified, eye problems. The distinction matters because a customer report does not establish either a confirmed diagnosis or that Years food caused the condition.
Latest Update: Laboratory Testing Remains Underway
In its recall notice, last updated August 19, Years said all confirmed cases identified in its investigation appeared after buckwheat was introduced into its recipes. The company also said its review had identified possible contamination in supplier product, but independent laboratory testing had not yet established the cause.
Years said testing covers potential hazards including heavy metals, mycotoxins, alkaloids, pesticides and veterinary drug residues. Two independent experts, including a toxicologist and a root-cause specialist, have also been appointed to investigate.
As of August 20, no conclusive laboratory result establishing that buckwheat, contamination of buckwheat or another component caused the reported eye problems had been published in the company’s latest notice.
Years says it informed the UK Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards before issuing the recall.
What Is Sudden Bilateral Dry Eye?
The condition at the center of the investigation is keratoconjunctivitis sicca, commonly called KCS or dry eye. It develops when insufficient tears are produced to protect and lubricate the eye.
According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, KCS in dogs is commonly bilateral and is often associated with immune-mediated destruction of tear-producing glands. Other documented causes include certain medications, infections, hereditary factors and trauma. Corneal ulceration, pigmentation and scarring can occur in affected animals.
That range of possible causes is another reason the reports cannot, by themselves, prove that the recalled food caused the disease.
Years is advising owners to stop feeding affected meals regardless of whether their dogs currently have symptoms. Signs listed by the company include excessive blinking or squinting, pawing at the eyes, thick discharge and visible discomfort. Owners who notice symptoms should contact a veterinarian.
Recipes Will Return Without Buckwheat
Years says buckwheat represented between 6.3% and 7.2% of its fresh meal recipes. The company is now removing the ingredient and returning to quinoa, which it used previously. Subscriptions have been automatically paused for an initial six weeks while reformulated meals are prepared.
Breed Health+ supplements and other products are not included in the recall, according to Years. The company says it intends to publish the findings of its investigation when the work is complete.
Until those results are available, the central question remains unresolved: a pattern of reported eye problems has prompted a broad precautionary recall, but the ingredient or mechanism responsible, if one exists, has not yet been scientifically confirmed.
