Hartz Rawhide Chip Treats for Dogs Recalled
This Pet Food Recall Issued Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Oct 21, 2008
On October 20, 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a pet food recall has been issued for Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Treats for dogs.
Manufactured by the Hartz Mountain Corporation's (a.k.a Hartz), the dog treats have been recalled due to possible salmonella contamination.
According to the FDA, Hartz has said that normal testing performed on the recalled pet treats did not detect any salmonella contamination. But a second round of testing performed by another laboratory confirmed that the dog treats were tainted with salmonella.
What Hartz Dog Treats Have Been Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination?
A total of 4,850 two-pound plastic bags of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips have been recalled as a result of salmonella contamination.
The tainted Hartz dog treats can be identified by the lot code and UPC code number, located directly beneath the bar code. The recalled pet treats will have the following codes:
- Lot Code: JC23282
- UPC Number: 3270096463
According to the FDA, Hartz is aggressively investigating the potential source of the salmonella contamination in the recalled dog treats.
"Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers," the FDA says. "Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall."
What Should I Do With My Recalled Dog Treats?
If a pet owner discovers that he/she is in possession of recalled dog treats or dog food, the following measures should be taken:
- Immediately discontinue use of the recalled dog treats.
- Place the dog treats and the dog treat bag inside a sealed freezer bag.
- Wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap immediately after handling the treats or packages.
- If the treats were stored inside a pet treat jar or other pet food storage container, the container will need to be disinfected properly to avoid infecting the dog with salmonella.
- Print out a copy of the FDA's formal pet food recall announcement.
- Bring the recalled Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips dog treats and the recall notice to the store where the recalled pet food was purchased for a refund or exchange.
Notably, the receipt and original dog treat packaging are not required when returning an item due to a pet food recall. The pet owner should always bring in a copy of the FDA's recall notice, in the event that the store staff are unaware of the pet food recall or pet treat recall.
What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella in My Dog?
Dog owners who have purchased the recalled Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips dog treats should be on the look-out for symptoms of salmonella in their dog. Notably, salmonella is among the few illnesses that can be transmitted from humans to dogs and vice versa.
The symptoms of salmonella in dogs include:
- Fever (normal temperature is 100.5 to 102.5)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Poor Appetite
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
If a pet exhibits the symptoms of salmonella, it's vital that the dog is brought to the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment. Without treatment, salmonella is often deadly in dogs and cats within a matter of a few days. Humans and other pets in the household will also be at risk of contracting salmonella.
More Information on Pet Food Recalls
Pet owners with questions or anyone who is seeking reimbursement for the recalled pet treats can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414.
Check out the Pet Food Recall Page for more information on the latest pet food recalls, salmonella in pets, how to disinfect pet food containers after a recall, and more.
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