FDA Reports 500 Dog Deaths From Chicken Jerky Treats

Kara Ogushi
January, 2013

Several varieties of Nestlé Purina and Milo’s Kitchen chicken jerky dog treats are being recalled in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now reports that 500 dogs have died after eating jerky treats manufactured in China.

According to NBC News, “A new tally of reports filed with the FDA show the agency has received 2,674 reports of illness involving 3,243 dogs, including 501 deaths. The agency also has received reports of nine illnesses in cats, including one death.”

The FDA has reminded pet parents that jerky treats are not necessary for your dog’s diet and can be safely eliminated. The agency will continue to investigate the claims of pet deaths and illnesses.

“The agency last spring inspected five Chinese plants that made jerky treats,” NBC News reported. “Officials weren’t allowed to take samples for testing. Now, inspection reports released about the fifth site, Yantai Aska of Yantai, China, show that plant officials falsified records regarding imports of glycerin, a key component in the jerky treats. Officials with China’s regulatory agency, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, suspended the firm’s export certificate as a result of the March 2012 inspection.”

Two more companies have announced recalls of these tainted products. Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treat Products and Publix Chicken Tenders Dog Chew Treats are being recalled because they may contain trace amounts of antibiotic residue.

According to Publix, “The UPC, located on the back right-hand corner of the product, is 41415-18527and the product comes in a 3.5 ounce bag. This product was sold in Publix grocery stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.”

The Publix jerky treats can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call the Publix consumer relations department at 800-242-1227 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit their website.

As for Cadet, although the company was initially only requested to recall their tainted treats from retail locations in New York, it is voluntarily recalling the jerky treats worldwide. If you purchased the recalled Cadet products, call IMS Pet Industries at 800-394-4467 or file a claim here.