Pig ear pet treat recall list grows as FDA updates investigation status

Hollywood Feed LLC is recalling 9 lots of “Made in South America Pig Ear Dog Treats” due to potential Salmonella contamination.

The following recalled treats – identified by UPC 819895022444 – were manufactured by Dog Goods USA LLC and sold from bulk bins in Hollywood Feed stores in the United States.

  • LOT 3188 428590-D, Distributed after 7/9/2019
  • LOT 3188 428590-C, Distributed after 7/9/2019
  • LOT 3188 428590-B, Distributed after 7/9/2019
  • LOT 3248 206228-A, Distributed after 1/14/2019
  • LOT 3248 206228-B, Distributed after 1/14/2019
  • LOT 3248 1079789-A, Distributed after 1/14/2019
  • LOT 3248 221911-C, Distributed after 1/14/2019
  • LOT 3248 419486-B Distributed after 1/14/2019
  • LOT 3248 419486-A Distributed after 1/14/2019

Lot codes can be found on bulk displays or on the barcode sticker of bulk shipping bags.

Hollywood Feeds initiated the recall as a result of a self-initiated audit that identified three Salmonella-positive samples, including one sample containing Salmonella Enteritidis.

As each lot is subjected to a ‘kill-step’ before distribution, the company believes contamination occurred “…on-site at the individual store locations after coming into contact with people or animals who interacted with the bulk displays.”

In August 2019, Dog Goods USA (manufacturer of the Hollywood Feed treats) recalled certain non-irradiated bulk and packaged pig ear dog treats after FDA detected Salmonella in a sample.

The recall was expanded to include additional product in September, in response to a report of another Salmonella-positive sample identified by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Dog Goods USA sourced its pig ear dog treats from a supplier based in Brazil.

FDA’s investigation into Salmonella-contaminated pig ear dog treats began as a result of an outbreak of human Salmonella illnesses first reported by the CDC on July 3rd, 2019.

As of the agency’s latest update, released on September 5th, CDC has confirmed 143 outbreak cases in 35 states across the USA.

Thirty-three of the outbreak victims were admitted to hospital.

Multiple serotypes of Salmonella have been identified as being part of the outbreak, including, Salmonella enterica serotypes I 4,[5],12:i:-, Cerro, Derby, Infantis, London, Newport, and Rissen. Some of the strains are antibiotic-resistant.

FDA, CDC and state investigations linked products from three companies to the outbreak: Dog Goods USA, Pet Supplies Inc., and Lennox Intl. Inc. All three companies responded by initiating recalls of Salmonella-contaminated products.

Two other companies – Brutus & Barnaby and TDBBS, LLC – also recalled pig ear dog treats that were found to be Salmonella-contaminated. The strains recovered from these products have not been linked to the ongoing outbreak, according to FDA.

FDA has enhanced its surveillance of pig ear pet treats in response to the outbreak and has added the following three companies to Import Alert 72-03 (Detention Without Physical Examination and Intensified Coverage of Pig Ears And Other Pet Treats Due To The Presence Of Salmonella): Custom Pet S.A.S. (Colombia), Suarko, SRL (Argentina) and Anabe Industria e Comercio de Proteinas (Brazil).

WHAT CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW
  • Based on information gathered from cases and the traceback data gathered from the FDA, the FDA and CDC continue to recommend that people avoid purchasing or feeding any pig ear pet treats at this time.
  • If you have pig ear pet treats, safely discard them and thoroughly clean the areas where the treats have been.
  • Salmonella can affect both human and animal health. People with symptoms of Salmonella infection should consult their healthcare providers. Consult a veterinarian if your pet has symptoms of Salmonella infection.
  • People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network), if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.

 

 

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