The FSA and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs warned feline owners last month not to give their cats certain foods which were being recalled by various different retailers. It came after an outbreak of feline pancytopenia hit the UK, an illness which has resulted in many cats dying.

“Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain moulds.

“Mycotoxins are widely found in some types of feed and food and do not, in themselves, indicate they are the cause of feline pancytopenia.”

The FSA reaffirmed its earlier advice and urgently warned feline owners to check the list of affected products and to stop feeding them to their pets.

Steven Barrett, a barrister from High Wycombe, told The Independent that his nine-year-old feline pet Freya, sadly passed away on August 3, after becoming ill the week prior.

A Royal Veterinary College spokesperson said: “Our investigations are ongoing, and we are still collecting data from practising veterinarians, as well as testing food samples associated with affected and unaffected cats to determine the significance of these findings.

“We have shared our results with the FSA to assist it with its investigations into this matter.

“To support our ongoing efforts, we are encouraging vets who have seen cats with unexplained severe thrombocytopenia or neutropenia, with or without current anaemia, to complete our survey.”

Anyone who is worried about their feline companion should seek veterinary advice.

Full list of recalled food:

Sainsbury’s:

– Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with salmon 1+years 800g

– Sainsbury’s Hypoallergenic Recipe complete dry cat food with chicken 1+years 800g

Pets at Home:

– Ava Kitten Chicken 300g and 2kg

– Ava Adult Chicken 300g, 2kg, 4kg

– Ava Adult Fish 2kg

– Ava Mature Chicken 7+ 2kg and 4kg

– Ava Adult Fish 2kg

– Ava Mature Chicken 7+ 2kg and 4kg

– Ava Senior Chicken 12+ 2kg

– Ava Sensitive Skin & Stomach 1.5kg

– Ava Weight Management 1.5kg

– Ava Hairball 1.5kg

– Ava Oral Care 1.5kg

– Ava British Shorthair 1.5kg

– Ava Persian 1.5kg

– Ava Maine Coon 1.5kg

Applaws products: (best before date all dates with a reference code of GB218E5009)

– Applaws Cat Dry Chicken 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Cat Dry Senior Chicken 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Cat Chicken & Salmon 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Kitten Dry Chicken 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Lamb 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Cat Dry Chicken & Duck 400g, 2kg and 7.5kg

– Applaws Cat Dry Ocean Fish 350g, 1.8kg and 6kg

Applaws is sold in various pet food shops as well as Amazon.