More testing needed Chicken Jerky ingredients

Food Sentry, a global food monitoring service, said it may understand why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to figure out why dogs are becoming ill from chicken jerky treats. While the FDA has posted more than 280 test results, that testing has all been conducted on the finished jerky treat products, rather than on any of the treats’ ingredients.

“In the Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei/Shandong region alone there are more than 350,000 chicken farms that supply chicken product manufacturers in the region,” said Food Sentry Chief Operating Officer and Analyst Scott Witt. “This is relevant because this highly industrialized area is significantly contaminated with dozens of industrial byproducts.” Continue reading More testing needed Chicken Jerky ingredients

FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

May 16, 2014
Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 202-510-4177, siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov
Trade Media Inquiries: Megan Bensette, 240-506-6818, megan.bensette@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer and Industry Inquiries: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its ongoing investigation into pet illnesses and deaths in animals that ate jerky pet treats. This update includes the latest information about complaints of illnesses, FDA’s collaboration with the CDC on a new case control study, and new findings revealed through the agency’s testing. Unfortunately, FDA has still not been able to identify a specific cause for the reported illnesses or deaths.

Case numbers: Since FDA’s last update on October 22, 2013, we have received approximately 1,800 additional case reports. As of May 1, 2014, we have received in total more than 4,800 complaints of illness in pets that ate chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats, nearly all of which are imported from China. The reports involve more than 5,600 dogs, 24 cats, three people, and include more than 1,000 canine deaths. The breakdown of symptoms associated with the cases is similar to that of earlier reports: approximately 60 percent of the cases report gastrointestinal/liver disease, 30 percent kidney or urinary disease, with the remaining 10 percent of complaints including various other signs such as neurologic, dermatologic, and immunologic symptoms. About 15 percent of the kidney or urinary cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disease that has been associated with this investigation.
Response to Dear Veterinarian Letter: Following an October 2013 request for veterinarians to share case information, the agency received many well-documented case reports that have and continue to provide us with valuable information that is assisting in our ongoing investigation. Out of this effort, FDA has had the opportunity to perform necropsies (post-mortem examinations) on 26 dogs, 13 of which appeared to have causes of death not related to consumption of jerky pet treats. Of the remaining 13 cases, an association with consumption of jerky pet treats could not be ruled out. Eleven of these dogs had indications of kidney disease and two involved gastrointestinal disease. Continue reading FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

Bravo® Issues Nationwide Recall of Pet Food for Dogs and Cats

Bravo® Issues Nationwide Recall of Pet Food for Dogs and Cats

Contact:Consumer:(866) 922-9222

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 14, 2014 – Manchester, CT – Bravo is recalling select lots and product(s) of Bravo Pet Food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

However, healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Listeria. Animals ill with Listeria will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Listeria should contact their veterinarian.

The recalled product was distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (best used by date) printed on the side of the plastic tube or on a label on the box.

The recalled products are as follows:

1) These products are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Continue reading Bravo® Issues Nationwide Recall of Pet Food for Dogs and Cats

Lamb Crunchys Dog Treats Recalled

Los Angeles treat manufacturer Pet Center Inc. has voluntarily recalled a limited number of 3-ounce bags of Lamb Crunchys because of potential salmonella contamination.

The dog treats were distributed in California, Colorado, Washington state and Wisconsin through the Gelson’s Market chain and three wholesalers: General Pet Supply, Nor-Sky Pet Supply Distributors and Independent Pet Supply.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture detected salmonella in a random sample, the manufacturer reported.

No pet or human illnesses have been linked to Lamb Crunchys, which are made from dehydrated lamb lungs. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms.

The U.S.-made treats come in 3-ounce, 8-ounce and 1-pound bags, but only the smallest size is affected. The recalled bags show the UPC number 727348200038 and a date code of 122015.

Any of the recalled treats may be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. The company is fielding questions at 800-390-0575 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday.

Science Diet Recall

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 62 Bags of “Science
Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™” Dry Dog Food in California,
Hawaii and Nevada Because of Potential Health Risk

Contact
Consumer:
1-800-445-5777
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 2, 2014 – Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. of Topeka, KS is voluntarily recalling 62 bags of Science Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™ dry dog food as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The suspect product, part of a single production run, was distributed to 17 veterinary clinic and pet store customers in California, Hawaii and Nevada between April 24 and May 13, 2014. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Continue reading Science Diet Recall

Pro-Pet recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 5, 2014 – Pro-Pet LLC, St. Marys, Ohio, has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of Dry Dog and Cat Foods for possible Salmonella contamination. A single field test indicated products manufactured during a two day period, on a single production line may have the potential for Salmonella contamination. Pro-Pet LLC is voluntarily recalling the potentially impacted products made during this timeframe. There have been no reports of illness related to this product to date.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Continue reading Pro-Pet recall