Pet Treats Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

[Purveyor]

A recall has been announced involving pet treats that were possibly contaminated by salmonella.

Among the brands involved are Boots and Barkley, Colorado Naturals and Nature's Deli.

The products were manufactured from mid-April to mid-September by Kasel Associated Industries at their Denver facility.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 21, 2013 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Kasel Associates Industries Inc. is recalling all pet treats it manufactured from April 20 through Sept. 19, 2012 due to potential contamination with Salmonella. Kasel has issued three previous recall notices for specific products manufactured during this time period.

The move comes after the Colorado Department of Agriculture tested a retail sample of a Kasel pet treat product and found it to be positive for Salmonella. Based on FDA’s follow-up inspection at the firm, FDA found that all of the finished pet treat product samples and 48 out of 87 environmental samples collected during the inspection tested positive for Salmonella. More than ten different species of Salmonella were found in the firm’s products and manufacturing facility, indicating multiple sources of contamination.

While there are no reports of human illness, FDA has received a small number of complaints of illness in dogs who were exposed to the treats. Because of the multiple positive tests for Salmonella, and the production practices and conditions observed at the facility during the inspection, FDA believes that there is a reasonable probability that pet treat products manufactured in the facility from April 20, 2012 through September 19, 2012 are contaminated with Salmonella.

Both people and animals can contract Salmonellosis from handling or eating contaminated products. People handling dry pet treats should thoroughly wash their hands after having contact with the treats as well as any surfaces exposed to these products.

Consumers who have any of these products, or who are unsure of the manufacturing date of their pet treats, should dispose of them in ways that people and animals, including wild animals, cannot access them, such as placing them in a securely lidded garbage can.

The Kasel-manufactured products are sold at various retailers, including Target, Petco, Sam’s Club and Costco. Most of the products have a two-year shelf life.

All of the products were made in the U.S. This action is not related to FDA’s ongoing investigation of jerky pet treats made in China.

Salmonella is a public health risk and is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the products subject to this recall should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected product or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to become severely ill from Salmonella infection. The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in these vulnerable populations. Most healthy individuals recover from Salmonella infections within four to seven days without treatment.

As with humans, dogs who are elderly, very young or have impaired immune systems are more vulnerable to Salmonella infection.

More with chart of brands/flavors...

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm340552.htm

[Curmudgeoness]

1. These treats could have been produced almost a year ago?

And the last would have been almost six months ago? And they are just recalling them now? How many of these treats have already been consumed, and why can't these processing plants know about this at the time they are being produced?

We really need to have more monitoring of pet food production. The most disturbing part of this is:

"Because of the multiple positive tests for Salmonella, and the production practices and conditions observed at the facility during the inspection, FDA believes that there is a reasonable probability that pet treat products manufactured in the facility from April 20, 2012 through September 19, 2012 are contaminated with Salmonella."

This just shows that, although we take our pets very seriously, and think of them as family, these people think of our pets as little more than furniture.

Also, they tell people with these products to throw them away---does that mean there is no refund?

[retrogal]

2. This makes me sick

My dog loves his treats. I try to be very careful when picking treats out for him and now Made in USA aren't all safe? I think it is time I start making his goodies.
Thanks for the info.

[Purveyor]

3. It is relatively easy to make your own treats. The 'net is full of 'dog treats recipes' so just

choose your flavor. We do fundraisers to the local shelter where I bake batches and batches of of treats.

Some are as easy as thin slicing sweet potatoes and dehydrating either in a dehydrator or your oven.

It is worth the effort and the kids know you are doing this 'just for them' after the first batch.

[TorchTheWitch]

4. any dog foods or treats made in a large facility may not be safe

Unfortunately, there's precious few that still make their stuff in their own kitchens instead of farming out the manufacture to the large plants that make many different treats and foods for pets. The larger the facility, the harder it is to keep it really clean. And I think a lot of these large facilities just don't really care that much... after all, it isn't their own products they're making, it's just a manufacturing facility.

Anymore, the treats I give my doggie are people food treats, though it would be nice to find something trustworthy made of good healthy stuff to use for rewards in training. Lately I've been getting Yoshi the lamb treats that's made by Newman's Own just for once in awhile treat. They smell so good I've been tempted to try one myself. They're hard as concrete though. Yoshi doesn't mind, but it's tough to break them up into smaller bits. Haven't had any trouble with them, but I have no idea if they're made in a big facility or not. I've never heard of any salmonella or other issues with Newman's Own though with either their dog food or treats.