Dog treats recalled because of Salmonella
Elite Treats LLC of Boca Raton, Florida, is recalling “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” in 6-ounce bags because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The product is packaged in black and gold bags marked on the back with batch number 24045 and an expiration date of 04/2027.
Salmonella can cause illness in animals that consume these products. People can be exposed to this pathogen through multiple routes, such as handling contaminated products, contact with animals that have eaten the recalled product, and/or contact with surfaces that have touched contaminated food, such as bowls, utensils, or counters. The risk of human illness from pet food contaminated with Salmonella increases if people do not wash their hands thoroughly after handling food or after coming into contact with their pet, or by failing to thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces.
Animals infected with Salmonella may be lethargic and suffer from diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some animals may have loss of appetite and abdominal pain. If your pet has eaten the recalled product and is experiencing these symptoms, or if you are concerned that your pet may be infected, please contact your veterinarian. In other cases, animals can be infected without showing symptoms. Infected pets, even if they do not show symptoms, can act as carriers and transfer Salmonella through their feces and saliva into the home environment and to people and other animals in the home.
The recalled “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” were sold to Florida Hardware LLC, which sold them to food stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
No illnesses have been reported to date in relation to this issue.
The contamination was noted after testing by a third-party laboratory identified contamination in a related but non-marketed lot of the same product.
Consumers who purchased 6-ounce bags of “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” stamped lot 24045 should stop using them. Do not sell or give away recalled products. Wash and disinfect pet bowls, cups and food containers. Always be sure to wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or utensils and surfaces that come into contact with recalled food.
About Salmonella Infections
Foods contaminated with Salmonella bacteria generally do not look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can get a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has handled one of the recalled treats and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about their possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection can mimic other illnesses, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults typically stay sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea can be so severe that patients need to be hospitalized.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people become infected without getting sick or showing symptoms. However, they can still transmit the infection to others.
