Elite Treats LLC of Boca Raton, FL, 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 side with lot number 24045 and an expiration date of 04/2027.
Salmonella can cause illness in pets eating the products. People can become exposed to this pathogen through multiple routes such as handling the contaminated products, contact with pets who have eaten the recalled product and/or contact with surfaces that have touched contaminated food, such as bowls, utensils, or countertops. Risk of human illness from Salmonella contaminated pet food increases if people do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling the food or having contact with their pet, or by not thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may have decreased appetite and abdominal pain. If your pet has eaten the recalled product and has these symptoms, or you are concerned that they might be infected, please contact your veterinarian. In other cases, pets 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 pets in the household.
The recalled “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” were sold to Florida Hardware LLC which sold to feed stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The contamination was noted after testing performed by a third-party laboratory identified contamination in a related yet commercially unreleased lot of the same product.
Consumers who have purchased 6-ounce bags of “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” stamped with lot 24045 should cease using them. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils and surfaces that come in contact with recalled food.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has handled any of the recalled treats and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
