Recall Alert: Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs

This just in from the FDA this weekend.

The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both dogs and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention. Owners of dogs exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.

Hartz Mountain Corporation is recalling 74,700 8-oz bags of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, lot code BZ0969101E, UPC number 32700-11519, which were imported by Hartz from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin S.A., and which were distributed to a number of customers in the United States. While regular testing conducted by Bertin (prior to shipment to the US) did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any packages of this product, random sample testing conducted by FDA did indicate the presence of Salmonella. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.

Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Dog owners having purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bag has lot code BZ0969101E imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 at any time with any questions they may have and for information on how to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

Dangerous Toy Alert

I am cross-posting this message:

Please post this link to everyone you know that may be affected by this dangerous toy alert!

Please look through all of your dog toys and make sure that your dogs do NOT have access to a toy called the Pimple Ball with Bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9) manufactured by Four Paws Inc. (see picture)

This toy has been responsible for seriously injuring at least two dogs, one dog had to have its tongue amputated. Click here to read about Chai's ordeal after his tongue became stuck inside the ball, and the subsequent amputation of his tongue (please note, there are graphic pictures of the damage caused by this ball)

The design of the ball creates a vacuum while the dog is chewing on the ball and the tongue becomes stuck inside the ball causing constriction and swelling. Chai is not the only dog that has been injured while playing with this ball. Concerned dog owners have contacted the manufacturer of this toy. The company stands by the toy, but has claimed that they are voluntarily recalling the toy to retool it so that it is safe. They claim to have contacted their distributors and told them to return their stock of this toy until the retooled toy can replace it.

We are unsure as to when this voluntary recall was enacted, but we've done a google search (as of 20 August 2008 at 7 p.m.) and have found up to 22 stores that are still carrying this product.

Please crosspost to every dog owner that you know and warn them of this toy. If you see this toy in a pet store, please notify the manager that this toy is considered dangerous and that the manufacturer claims to have voluntarily recalled the toy. Have the manager contact the manufacturer directly and encourage them to remove it from the shelves.

If you see someone on the Internet that is still selling this toy, please feel free to e-mail them with the following:The Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9) listed on your site has severely injured several dogs. Allen Simon, the President and CEO of Four Paws Inc. has responded to e-mail inquiries and has assured his customers that it is voluntarily recalling this toy and says it has notified its vendors of this recall. We would not like to hear of other dogs being injured by this toy, so please remove this toy from your inventory, and if possible, notify your customers that this toy can be dangerous to their pet. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Haley Birk or Mr. Simon directly from their Web site: http://www.fourpaws.com/ or calling their number at: (631) 434-1100.