[Vision2020] FW: FDA Issues Health Hazard Alert for Pet Chews Due to Contamination with Salmonella

[Saundra Lund]

From: Press releases about FDA Recalls [mailto:FDA-RECALLS-L at LIST.NIH.GOV]
On Behalf Of FDA Recalls
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 1:26 PM
To: FDA-RECALLS-L at LIST.NIH.GOV
Subject: FDA Issues Health Hazard Alert for Pet Chews Due to Contamination
with Salmonella

 

FDA Press Release


This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete
listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P07-58
April 5, 2007 

Media Inquiries: 
301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 
888-INFO-FDA 


FDA Issues Health Hazard Alert for Pet Chews Due to Contamination with
Salmonella 


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers not to use
American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chews and Dog Chews manufactured and
distributed by T.W. Enterprises, Ferndale, WA, because they have the
potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious
infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in
people, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune
systems. Consumers who have the pet treats manufactured or distributed by
T.W. Enterprises listed below should not feed them to their pets, but
instead dispose of them in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash
receptacle). 

Salmonella can potentially be transferred to people handling these pet
treats, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after
having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some
or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody
diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in
more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis,
arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.
Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product
should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody
diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite,
fever and abdominal pain. Well animals can be carriers and infect other
animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has
these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The products covered by this alert include all sizes and lots of: 

American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chew and Dog Chew (made from all
American beef pizzle) 

Following is a list of the affected products: 

*	A.B. Small Chew, small, 3-4 inch 
*	A.B. Puppy Chew, 4-6 inch 
*	A.B. Dog Chew Medium, 6 inch 
*	A.B. Dog Chew Large, 10 inch 
*	A.B. Dog Chew XL, 13 inch 
*	A.B. Dog Chew Mega, 16 inch 
*	A.B. Dog Chew Jumbo, 26 inch 

FDA collected samples of packages of three different sizes of bull pizzle
(beef) dog chews manufactured by T.W. Enterprises and, after analysis, found
Salmonella in one of them. FDA is including in its alert all sizes and all
lots of bull pizzle chews manufactured by T. W. Enterprises because pizzles
used in manufacturing the chews are processed at the same time, cut into
chews of the desired sizes, and then packaged for sale. Differently sized
chews are thus obtained from the same batch or lot of pizzles and
manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within
batches or lots. It is impossible to differentiate chews manufactured by T.
W. Enterprises by lot or batch numbers or dates of manufacture because
packages of the firm's chews are not coded with batch or lot numbers, and do
not specify the dates of manufacture or bear expiration dates.

FDA is actively investigating this matter to determine the source of this
problem, and will issue future updates as appropriate.

#### 

FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page:
<http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html>
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html 

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