Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Chef Toby Pig ears recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Recall published 7+ years ago

Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Chef Toby Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treatsChef Toby Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treats (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

What the notice says: Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Why it matters: Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads easily from a contaminated product to hands, taps, cloths and other food in the same kitchen.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes salmonellosis as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure and last about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. Children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Seek care for diarrhoea with a high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
August 16, 2019
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Chef Toby
Product type
Pet food & treats
Distribution
Nationwide
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been linked to the Products to date.

Products covered by this recall

Pig ears

What the company announced

Dog Goods USA LLC to conduct a voluntary recall of Chef Toby Pig Ears Treats because of possible salmonella health risk.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") and State partners, is investigating a suspected link between pig ear pet treats and human cases of salmonellosis.

Dog Goods USA LLC ("Dog Goods"), a distributor of Tobyhanna, PA has been contacted by the FDA and, based on the best information currently available, will be conducting a voluntary recall of the following products (the "Products"): non-irradiated bulk and packaged pig ears branded Chef Toby Pig Ears due to potential Salmonella contamination. The Product lot codes are:

428590, 278989, 087148, 224208, 1168723, 428590, 222999,

074599, 1124053, 226884, 578867, 224897, 1234750, 444525,

1106709, 215812, 230273, 224970, 585246, 327901, 052248,

210393, 217664, 331199, 225399, 867680, 050273, 881224,

424223, 225979, 431724, 226340, 880207, 334498

Dog Goods bought the Products from a single supplier in Brazil from September 2018 through August 2019 and distributed nationwide in retail stores. The FDA sampled pig ears manufactured by our supplier in Brazil and one sample tested positive for Salmonella .

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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals and humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. For more information and Salmonella and its symptoms and health risks, please refer to the following link: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigates-contaminated-pig-ear-pet-treats-connected-human-salmonella-infections

Dog Goods has also launched an internal investigation to determine if, when and where the Products may have been contaminated. To date, this internal investigation has not indicated any vulnerability in the company's practices, including but not limited to the inspection, handling and storage of the Products. No illnesses have been linked to the Products to date. Nonetheless, Dog Goods will continue to investigate the matter, collaborate fully with the FDA and the CDC, and provide further information to its customers and the public as appropriate.

Consumers who have purchased the Products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact us at 786-401 -6533 ex:8000 from 9am EST through 5pm EST.

Expanded Press Release

.product-code__outline {

border: solid black thin;

max-width: auto;

}

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

What to do about Salmonella

Chef Toby — Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

  1. Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.
  2. Watch everyone who ate it for about a week, and call a doctor sooner for a child under five or an adult over 65.
  3. Bag it and bin it, or take it back to the store — do not feed it to pets or livestock either.
  4. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the Products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Dog Goods USA LLC — Consumers: 786-401-6533

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Chef Toby pet food & treats recalled?

Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Company recall announcements record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the Products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

Related recalls