FDA Warns About US-made Chicken Jerky Pet Treats
By: NBC News
Updated: December 6, 2012
A Colorado company is refusing to recall chicken jerky dog treats potentially contaminated with salmonella bacteria, prompting federal health regulators to urge consumers to keep them away from pets.
The Food and Drug Administration warned pet owners Thursday not to feed dogs certain Nature's Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats packaged and distributed by Kasel Associated Industries of Denver.
The warning is not related to the ongoing investigation of reported illnesses and deaths in pets that consumed chicken jerky treats made in China.
Kasel officials previously recalled additional lots of Nature's Deli chicken jerky treats, Boots & Barkley Roasted American Pig Ears and Boots & Barkley American Variety Pack Dog Treats, and Boots & Barkley American Beef Bully Sticks -- bull penis treats -- after they tested positive for salmonella that could cause illness.
But FDA officials said firm officials "declined" to conduct a voluntary recall of the newly implicated treats.
The products in question are Nature's Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats sold in 3-pound packages with a lot code of BESTBY061913DEN. A retail sample of the treats tested positive for salmonella in November, Colorado Department of Agriculture exams showed.
The products are sold at Costco, which has pulled them from store shelves and is working to notify customers who bought them, an FDA spokeswoman said.
No reports of illness have been linked to the treats, the FDA said.
People and animals could contract salmonella either by handling or eating the contaminated products.
Infection with salmonella bacteria typically causes short-term illness in healthy people, but can cause serious complications in those with weak immune systems.
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