A company based in North Carolina recalled dog treat products after health experts found potentially harmful bacteria in samples of the products.
In a notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), different batches and sizes of dog treats produced by Stormberg Foods, including Beg & Barker Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treats, Billo’s Best Friend Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treats, and Green Coast Pets Chicken Crisps Dog Treats are included in the recall “due to a potential contamination of Salmonella.”
The Stormberg Foods’ recall revealed that the products tested positive for the potentially harmful bacteria were distributed between June 8 and June 22 to warehouses that are located in Minnesota, North Carolina, California and Rhode Island before they were shipped across the country to retail facilities and consumers online.
The treats are reportedly packaged in branded plastic bags.
The recall came after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA & CS) informed the company that the sample products had tested positive for Salmonella on July 6.
Salmonella is a harmful bacteria that poses risks to both humans and animals.
“Salmonella can affect pets eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching the product or an exposed surface,” the recall notice claimed.
The notice also included the Salmonella symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain and can also “result in more serious ailments.
When infected, pets will have a decreased appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever and may be lethargic and even vomit.
The notice also made it clear that in some cases, infected animals that are not showing any symptoms can pass it on to other pets or people.
“Infection can be transmitted directly between infected animals and between animals and humans. Salmonella spreads mainly through faeces from infected individuals and infects new individuals via the mouth. Dogs can become infected through contaminated food and contaminated water.” National Veterinary Institute wrote on its website.
At the time of writing, no illnesses have been reported yet.
