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The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling all lots of Hartz ® Chicken Chews™ and Hartz ® Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken sold in the United States due to contamination with illegal drug residue. This recall comes on the heels of other brands of chicken jerky treats imported from China due to the same findings.
For more information, see the press release below from Hartz.
The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily withdrawing its Hartz ® Chicken Chews™ and Hartz ® Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken for dogs in the United States because they contain trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue.
We are taking this action after recent Hartz testing found trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue in samples of Hartz® Chicken Chews™ and Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken products. Even though two-thirds of the products we tested did not contain antibiotic residues, we would rather be overly cautious by voluntarily withdrawing these products from the market.
These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S. Based on the FDA’s review of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) results, there is no evidence that raises health concerns, and these results are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illnesses FDA has received related to jerky pet treats.
Immediately upon learning of this finding, Hartz contacted the FDA to share our test results and execute a nationwide voluntary withdrawal. There have been no known illnesses to date associated with the consumption of these products.
“Upon learning about the nationwide voluntary withdrawal of several other brands of chicken jerky products through media reports, Hartz acted immediately to begin additional testing to determine if the same unapproved antibiotic residues were present in our products,” said Sean McNear , Sr. Director of Quality and Regulatory at Hartz Mountain.
There is no indication that the trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products produced in China. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health or pet safety risk.
No other Hartz products are affected by this withdrawal.
If you have these products contact the Hartz Consumer Affairs team (24 hours/day 7 days/week) at 1-800-275-1414 for a product refund or go to www.hartz.com for additional information.
It has been The Dogington Post’s recommendation since before the first recall that consumers avoid all chicken jerky type treats imported from China and instead choose US-made alternatives. It is our hope and expectation that more brands and additional recalls will continue until all Chinese chicken jerky treats are removed from store shelves.
Annie Gagnon
says:This is rediculous, why are sending to China to make these treats, chews, or whatever, it is obviously “wrong” we need a good animal food place in the USA that we can trust for our animals!!! When going to the store to get some treats for my dog, the shelves were nearly bare, because of the recalls, that means I will only be buying from the Vet from this point on! Is anything safe anymore, frustrated by greedy money makers!
Robyn McDonald
says:i just bought Hartz Hearty Stuffers beef flavor.are those safe?
B
says:Yes, they are safe! Only the “Hartz Chicken Chews” and “Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken” treats are the ones that are being recalled. Also, as the article said, feeding even the recalled ones have not been shown to have any health risks, so if your dog ate them before you’d still probably be fine.
Sonja Rabehl
says:If possible they need to make these announcements a lot more often. Every since the recall on the dogfood brought in from other countries i’ve pretty much started making all there treats home made. This is freaking rediculious!