Global Pet Foods removes China-produced pet treats from stores

Canada's Global Pet Foods is pulling China-made pet treats from 160 of its stores, effective immediately.

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This decision comes on the heels of US-based Petco and PetSmart releasing statements of similar intent, though their move is voluntary (Global Pet Foods' is mandatory) and not immediate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet been able to definitively determine that jerky treats from China are causing ongoing illnesses in pets, in spite of years of testing. But stores carrying the treats are beginning to listen to consumers.
“The FDA has not identified a direct link between any of these treats manufactured in China as causing the specific type of illness,” said Michelle Friedman, PetSmart spokesperson. “However, we have been hearing concerns both from the FDA and our customers. We decided that it was the right thing to do.” 

US Congress schedules hearing on China pet treats

The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China has scheduled a hearing for June 17, “Pet Treats and Processed Chicken from China: Concerns for American Consumers and Pets,” to consider the issues of China's food safety regulation, US government regulation of imported Chinese foods and the overall safety of those foods.

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Two major US food chains have recently pulled Chinese-made dog and cat treats, such as jerky strips, after they were possibly linked to the deaths of roughly 1,000 dogs in the US and Canada. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been investigating dog illnesses linked to Chinese jerky since 2007. As of May 1, 2014, it had received about 4,800 reports of such illnesses.

Food Sentry: FDA should test jerky treat ingredients for contamination

Food Sentry, a global food monitoring service, said it may understand why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to figure out why dogs are becoming ill from chicken jerky treats. While the FDA has posted more than 280 test results, that testing has all been conducted on the finished jerky treat products, rather than on any of the treats' ingredients.

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"In the Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei/Shandong region alone there are more than 350,000 chicken farms that supply chicken product manufacturers in the region," said Food Sentry Chief Operating Officer and Analyst Scott Witt. "This is relevant because this highly industrialized area is significantly contaminated with dozens of industrial byproducts."
Witt, who helped develop a system for the FDA that predicts the likelihood of contamination of imported food, used the leather-making industry to illustrate his point. "One of the dirtiest industries in terms of contamination is the tanning industry," he said. "One of the many contaminants in the tanning process is chromium, which leaves a residue on the tanned product. Leather scrap is left over after the manufacturing process and, because it is relatively high in protein, it is often hydrolyzed and sold as a protein feed product." Witt identified hexavalent chromium as having the potential to build up in the chickens if they eat the contaminated feed. That toxin could then get passed on to the dogs, which, over time, may potentially get sick and die as a result.
The FDA needs to "get to the beginning of the product's life and look deeply," according to Witt.

Nestle Purina, Waggin' Train create jerky treat fund to compensate dog owners

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC will create a US$6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed by chicken and other jerky treats made in China and sold by the companies.

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If approved, the settlement would also require Nestle Purina to undertake “enhanced quality assurance measures” regarding pet treats made in China and to modify language on its packaging. In announcing the settlement, filed in US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, neither party admitted fault. “Neither Waggin’ Train, Nestle Purina nor any of the consumers concede that their claims or their defenses were not valid,” said lawyers for the parties. “All parties entered into the agreement only to bring the litigation to a prompt and certain resolution.”
The FDA has warned consumers since 2007 about growing reports of illness in animals that ate chicken, sweet potato and other jerky treat products from China. But, despite extensive testing, no cause has been found for the illnesses. Nestle Purina and Waggin’ Train officials have consistently said that their treats have not been confirmed to cause any illness in animals and that the products are safe to feed to pets as directed.

Petco to stop sales of China-made dog and cat treats

Petco will stop carrying China-made dog and cat treats at its more than 1,300 store locations nationwide, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com, by the end of 2014.

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"We know some pet parents are wary of dog and cat treats made in China, especially chicken jerky products, and we've heard their concerns," said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. "As a leader in the industry and the trusted partner for our pet parents, we're eager to make this transition and to expand our assortment of safe and healthy treats, the majority of which are made right here in the US. Very simply, we feel this decision is in the best interest of the pets we all love and, ultimately, for our business."
Since 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has periodically cautioned consumers about a potential link between reported illnesses in dogs and the consumption of jerky products made in China. However, the FDA has been unable to identify a direct link between the reported illnesses and the China-made treats, and has not recommended a recall of jerky products. 
"We've been following the FDA warnings and related customer concerns closely, and we've been actively reducing our China-made assortment and expanding our American-made offerings for several years now," said Myers. "We know the FDA hasn't yet identified a direct cause for the reported illnesses, but we decided the uncertainty of the situation outweighs the lack of actual proof. It has taken some time and careful thought to get to this point, but we're proud to make the change and we believe our customers will be pleased with it as well."
The final stage of the transition will begin in September and is expected to be complete by the end of 2014, marking the end of a multi-year process in which Petco has been working with vendors and suppliers to offer more safe and healthy alternatives to treats made in China. 
Pet parents looking for alternatives to China-made dog or cat treats will find a broad selection of USA-made products at Petco. The company also carries a number of safe and long lasting treats and chews from other regions of the world on its shelves, including New Zealand, Australia and South America.

Jerky treat pet deaths still under investigation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still investigating the illnesses and deaths of several hundred dogs that began in 2007 and are suspected to be the result of contaminated chicken jerky pet treats manufactured in China.

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The FDA continues to seek leads from veterinarians and pet owners-roughly 1,500 reports have some in since an appeal for information in the fall of 2013. "We are frustrated," said Martine Hartogensis, who oversees the FDA's ongoing investigation. "It's been a long, winding, twisting road . . . [But] we haven't given up." 
The FDA says it has tested more than 1,200 jerky treats, looking for Salmonella, mold, pesticides, toxic metals, outlawed antibiotics, nephrotoxins and other contaminants. Federal officials have inspected factories in China that manufacture chicken jerky products for U.S. companies and sought input from academics, state and university research labs, foreign governments and the petfood industry. In spite of all that, the cause of the illnesses has not yet been found.
According to the FDA, the illnesses overwhelmingly affect dogs but some cats have also been made ill. The majority of complaints involve chicken jerky but also include treats in which chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruit, sweet potatoes or yams. Officials said there's no clear pattern based on breed or geography-pets have been sickened in every state, as well as in countries such as Australia-and the problems don't seem specific to any particular brand or manufacturer.
The FDA said it is determined to find answers. "They want to solve it more than anything," said Hartogensis. "I'm confident we'll get there. It's a really complicated issue, but we've got a lot of great people working on it. And I think we're getting closer."

Food & Water Watch delivers petition on China pet treats

Food & Water Watch has delivered a petition on behalf of "animal parents" to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against pet treats and food made in China. It wants the agency to implement Section 211 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that would inform consumers about the dangers of these treats. Under that rule, grocery stores will have to post notices in conspicuous places telling consumers about contaminated food products, including petfood.

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Terry Safranek, a founding member of Animal Parents Against Pet Treats & Food Made in China (APAPTFMIC), said in a statement, "I lost my beloved dog Sampson in January 2012 to poisonous pet jerky treats made in China. 
Since 2007, FDA has reported that 600 dogs have died and over 4,600 have gotten sick and the common denominator is that all of these pets consumed imported jerky treats from China. While I appreciate the effort that the agency has made to look at this problem, China is still being permitted to export these products to the U.S. and we are no closer to finding out what is killing our pets. FDA should ban these products from coming into our country until we figure out what is going on. Short of that, FDA should implement this section of FSMA that would inform consumers of the dangers of these products."

AVMA won't warn against feeding treats tied to illness, deaths

Despite reports of pet illness and deaths tied to jerky treats, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says it won't warn pet owners against feeding the treats to their dogs, according to an NBC News report.

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The AVMA rejected a resolution this month that would have discouraged use of the jerky products until further evidence about safety is available.
"The resolution as presented is basically dead," said David Kirkpatrick, an AVMA spokesman. "We don't have the scientific proof to say, 'Don't do it.'"
Instead, the AVMA's house of delegates recommended that the group tell its 85,000 members to report jerky-related pet problems to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to work with the FDA to safeguard animals through "quality control of pet food and treats."
The strips, nuggets and other treats have been linked to nearly 600 pet deaths and 4,500 illnesses since 2007. The conditions include gastrointestinal illnesses, kidney failure and Fanconi syndrome. The AVMA and the FDA remind owners that jerky treats are not a necessary part of a pet's diet and to seek medical care at the first sign of gastric distress or kidney trouble.
The AVMA resolution came weeks before Nestle Purina Pet Care said it plans to introduce new versions of its Waggin' Train products in February, and Del Monte Foods Corp. said it would offer new versions of its Milo's Kitchen treats in March.
The companies issued nationwide recalls last year after New York state agriculture officials detected trace levels of unapproved antibiotics in jerky treat samples. The FDA and company officials said that the antibiotics weren't tied to the ongoing reports of illnesses.
Nestle Purina said it has made "significant enhancements" to the Waggin' Train production process, including limiting meat sourcing to single suppliers and requiring that each batch of treats be tested for a range of contaminants.

EXPANDED RECALL: Bailey's Choice expands chicken dog treats recall in Georgia, USA

Bailey's Choice Dog Treats LLC of Waleska, Georgia, USA, is expanding its earlier recall of select packages of chicken dog treats due to potential Salmonella contamination, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The recall was expanded to include 5-ounce packages of the following treats: 

• 100 percent Chicken Treat treats marked with lot numbers: "Jun 2 2013," "Jun 3 2013," "Jun 15 2013," "Jul 8 2013" and "Jul 22 2013"
• 100 percent Chicken Breast Treat marked with lot number: "Jun 4 2013"
• 100 percent Teriyaki Chicken Treats marked with lot number: 132881
Georgia Department of Agriculture inspectors will continue checking retail stores and warehouses to make sure the recalled products have been removed from sale. To date, no illnesses have been reported.
Consumers who purchased these recalled dog treats should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact the company at +1.770.881.0526 or thomdo4570@gmail.com.

Pet jerky treats not necessarily cause for alarm, veterinary pathobiology professor says

On October 22, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an update on its investigation into pet illnesses associated with pet jerky treats from China, along with a request to veterinarians for their assistance in identifying pets that were potentially sickened as a result of consuming the tainted pet treats. Tim Evans, an associate professor of veterinary pathobiology at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and a veterinary toxicologist, says that while pet owners should be aware of this issue and watchful for signs of illness in pets that have been consuming these treats on a regular basis, it is not a cause for alarm for the majority of dogs and cats.
According to Evans: "While the loss of any pet is tragic, only a very small percentage of pets has been affected by this strange illness during the past six years.
"If pet owners have been feeding their dogs or cats jerky treats containing chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruits, I would recommend they stop feeding the animals the treats immediately and monitor their pets' health. While there may not be a cause for immediate alarm, owners of small-breed dogs that have consumed these treats on a regular basis, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, might want to have their pet examined by their regular veterinarian and have some laboratory testing performed. If an owner's pet should begin to show signs of illness, such as decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or increased water consumption and urination, owners should immediately bring their pets in for evaluation by a veterinarian, because the sooner this illness is detected, the better the chances that it can be treated effectively."
Evans says the primary illness stemming from these tainted treats involves kidney disease and failure if the illness progresses without treatment. Evans believes that while this issue has been occurring since 2007, it does not mean FDA has been negligent.
"The FDA and scientists around the country have been working on this problem tirelessly for many years, but it has been a very difficult process because no obvious ingredients in the jerky treats have been found to cause this illness," Evans said. "Hopefully with this latest call for help from veterinarians nationwide, the FDA will collect enough information soon to determine why this illness is occurring."
Because jerky treats are not a part of an essential diet for any pet, Evans recommends that pet owners refrain from feeding them to their pets if they are concerned about this illness. He also recommends regular annual checkups for pets, including baseline blood work as the animals get older. He says this will help veterinarians catch any potential health issues before they escalate into more serious problems.

RECALL: Bailey's Choice Dog Treats issues recall of chicken treats for possible Salmonella contamination

Bailey's Choice Dog Treats LLC of Waleska, Georgia, USA, is recalling packages of dog treats due to possible Salmonella contamination, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. 
The company is recalling packages of chicken treats in various size packages marked with lot number #132881 and expiration date February 2014, as well as 5-ounce bags of chicken jerky treats with a lot number of "Jun 5 2013."
Inspectors from the Georgia Department of Agriculture are in the process of checking retail stores and warehouses to ensure the recalled products have been removed from sale. No illnesses have been reported, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Consumers who purchased the treats should discard them and contact the company for a full refund at +1.770.881.0526 or email thomdo4570@gmail.com.

Vets Plus invests in production equipment for jerky pet treats

Vets Plus Inc., a maker of pet supplements, invested US$0.5 million to add new production equipment for cold and heat-extruded jerky for pets. In addition, the company sent several research and production staff members for specialized training to create custom jerky and treats for its customers.
According to the company's CEO and president, Raj Lall: "We can custom formulate any nutraceutical supplement, and now we are able to produce those supplements in another form: jerky for dogs. We are focusing on making dental treats and branching into that rapidly growing market, but a whole host of other natural compounds can be added to jerky to address other nutritional concerns."
The new equipment is housed in a 30,000-square-foot space in western Wisconsin, USA. Lall said the product will be available for contract manufacturing. "Private labeling is our backbone," he said. "We look forward to developing unique jerky products manufactured and packaged to fit the needs of our partners." Full-scale production of jerky is expected to begin in November.

Food & Water Watch responds to FDA update on jerky pet treat investigation

Food & Water Watch, a group whose goal is to ensure sustainable and safe food for consumption, issued a statement following the October 22 release of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s update to its investigation into pet illnesses and jerky treats from China.
According to Food & Water Watch: "[October 22], the Food and Drug Administration posted a long-awaited update on the agency's investigation into unsafe imported pet treats and illnesses in dogs linked to these treats. Food & Water Watch has urged the agency to update the public with more information about this situation for many months, and we appreciate the new information the agency posted today. But America's pets are still at risk from these potentially deadly treats.
"Since 2007, thousands of American dogs have fallen ill or died after eating jerky treats made in China. Today's update from the FDA showed a drop in reported illnesses since the decision by Nestlé Purina and DelMonte in January to recall their chicken jerky dog treats produced in China. This drop in reported illnesses indicates that there is likely some connection between illnesses and jerky treats imported from China. A recent Australian study described in FDA's update also points to strong links between pet illnesses in Australia and consumption of imported pet treats from China.
"But the source of the problem has still not been identified. And there are imported pet treats from China made by other companies still being sold in the United States. FDA should focus its inspection and laboratory activities on those imported pet treats and require more data from the companies to prove that the products are safe.
"Finally, the Obama administration needs to release the proposed rule on preventive controls for animal feed, including pet food, under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. This proposed rule has been held up by the Office of Management and Budget for nearly two years."

FDA issues update on investigation of jerky pet treats from China, pet illnesses

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FDA is warning consumers about the potential for illness associated with feeding pets jerky treats, mostly imported from China.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released on October 22 an update to its investigation into pet illnesses and deaths associated with jerky pet treats from China. The update includes a description of the extent of the agency's testing and current findings, as well as a "Dear Veterinarian" letter and "Fact Sheet" for pet owners.
The "Dear Veterinarian" letter to veterinary professionals explains how they can provide assistance to FDA's investigation, requests that veterinarians report to FDA any cases of jerky pet treat-related illness that come to their attention and, when requested, that they also provide samples for diagnostic testing by the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a network of veterinary laboratories affiliated with FDA.
The "Fact Sheet" for pet owners lists steps they can take to prevent or detect illness related to the treats. FDA continues to caution pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet. The agency encourages pet owners to consult with their veterinarian prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets.
As of September 24, FDA says it has received more than 3,000 complaints of illness related to consumption of chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats, nearly all of which were imported from China. The reports involve more than 3,600 dogs, 10 cats and include more than 580 deaths.
According to FDA, the rate of complaints associated with jerky pet treats dropped sharply after several well-known brands were removed from the market in January, when a study conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Marketing (NYSDAM) detected low levels of antibiotic residues in those products. FDA believes that the drop in complaints is linked to a decrease in the availability of jerky pet treats rather than the low levels of antibiotics found in January, which FDA believes are unlikely to be the cause of the illnesses. However, FDA is performing an evaluation to determine the possibility for low levels of the antibiotics to cause illness in dogs when fed over a length of time. This process involves review of the scientific literature, as well as any adverse event reports and consumer complaints sent to the FDA in connection with dogs and sulfonamide drugs, and may take many months to complete. In the meantime, FDA's investigation continues to evaluate all potential causes for illness from the jerky pet treats.
While FDA has not yet identified a cause for the reported illnesses, the agency, together with its Vet-LIRN partners, continue to perform testing to help identify cases and examine both animal tissue and product samples associated with the cases. FDA also continues to work with the manufacturers and distributors of the treats and China's Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to investigate potential sources of contamination or causes of illness in pets. 

RECALL: Dogswell, Catswell brand jerky treats with chicken, duck

Arthur Dogswell LLC has issued recall for select Dogswell and Catswell brand jerky treats made with chicken or duck, after testing by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets found trace amounts of an antibiotic during a routine product sampling.
Treat products affected by the recall have a "Best Before" date marked on or before January 28, 2015. Brands affected include: Breathies Chicken Breast and Duck Breast jerky, Happy Heart, Happy Hips, Mellow Mut, Shape Up, Veggie Life, Vitality and Vitakitty.
The majority of products were delivered via retail stores or mail order prior to March 1.
Consumers can obtain a refund by calling +1.888.559.8833 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday.

Del Monte, Milo's Kitchen chicken jerky treat claims can't be dismissed, judge rules

Petfood maker Del Monte may not dismiss claims that its Milo's Kitchen brand of chicken jerky treats made in China poisoned and killed dogs, according to a federal judge.
 Lisa Mazur filed a federal class-action suit against Del Monte and Milo's Kitchen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in 2012. Mazur claimed that her healthy 7-year-old dog, Riley Rae, suffered kidney failure and had to be euthanized after occasionally eating the jerky treats for about a month. She is seeking punitive damages for the class for common law fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence, product liability, unfair trade, breach of warranty, failure to warn and defective manufacture or design.
"Defendants intentionally concealed known facts concerning the safety of their dog treats in order to increase or maintain sales," Mazur said in the complaint.
US District Judge Jeffrey White agreed in April to transfer two other Northern California cases to Pittsburgh, where Mazur's case is pending.
Del Monte and Milo's moved to dismiss in September 2012, and US Magistrate Judge Maureen Kelly recommended that only the unjust enrichment claim be dismissed. Mazur's claims "appear sufficient to permit the inference that a defect exists in Milo's chicken jerky treats and that the defect is the most likely explanation for the illness suffered by plaintiff's dog by eliminating other reasonable causes," Judge Kelly wrote.
Kelly found the claims under Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law are "more than sufficient to place defendants on notice of the precise misconduct with which they are charged" and added that the allegations "more than adequately set forth losses suffered by plaintiff and the putative class members that are distinct from the disappointed expectations evolving solely from the purchase of defendants' products; they clearly articulate property damage in the form of harm to their pets."
However, the judge dismissed the claim of unjust enrichment, writing: "Here, it is apparent from plaintiff's allegations in the complaint that, while she is dissatisfied with the chicken jerky treats, she nevertheless purchased, received and used the product. It therefore cannot be said that the benefit bestowed on defendants in the form of a profit from the sale was 'wrongly secured.'"
US District Judge Cathy Bissoon adopted Kelly's recommendation on June 25.

Consumer call for pet retailers to post petfood, treat recall warning signs

After a number of voluntary recalls of chicken jerky pet treats made in China, pet owners are asking retailers for accountability in warning consumers of products recalled or thought to be potentially harmful by the Food and Drug Administration. 
As part of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act, retailers are required to display visible warning signs at their registers when FDA identifies a "reportable food" for people or animals that could "cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."
However, some consumers whose pets became sick or died after consuming the treats say pet retailers are not following this rule and are calling for signs to be posted immediately after the treats or products are recalled or deemed potentially dangerous by FDA.
"All you need is an 8 x 11 piece of paper that can be posted at cash register that says 'this food has been recalled,'" said Tony Corbo, a lobbyist for the food program at Food & Water Watch.
There is no way to tell how many stores are complying with the law or not, making it difficult to implement the law.
Despite earlier recalls of Del Monte's Milo's Kitchen and Nestle Purina's Waggin Train and Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky treats, FDA says FSMA guidelines for posting warning signs are not applicable to these types of voluntary recalls because the treats are currently not considered a "reportable" food. And, even for items considered "reportable," such as Salmonella detected in dog food, FDA does not have a plan in place for monitoring stores that post or do not post a warning sign.

RECALL: Diggin' Your Dog recalls Strippin' Chicks pet treats due to Salmonella

Diggin' Your Dog announced a voluntary recall of one lot of its Strippin' Chicks pet treats produced on August 30, 2012, because the pet treats have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The lot of the Strippin' Chicks pet treats being recalled comes packaged in a 5-ounce bag, with lot code 250322, and a "Use by" date of February 23, 2014.
The recall was initiated after a sampling of the pet treats obtained in Colorado, USA.
Consumers who purchased the recalled pet treats should contact Diggin' Your Dog at +1.775.742.7295, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST, or email info@dydusa.com. A refund may also be obtained by mailing the UPC and lot codes to: P.O. Box 17306 Reno, NV 89511.

RECALL: Nutri-Vet recalls chicken jerky treats for possible Salmonella contamination

Nutri-Vet LLC is recalling its Nutri-Vet and NutriPet chicken jerky products the pet treats may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The pet treat recall was initiated because the manufacturer of an ingredient used in the products informed Nutri-Vet of the possibility of Salmonella presence at the manufacturing facility.
Chicken jerky products affected by the recall have "Best By" dates between April 20, 2014, and October 3, 2014. The recalled chicken jerky products were distributed throughout the US via online sales and retail stores from April 2012 through February. The following is a list of recalled products, including item #, description, package size and UPC code:
•76-0081 NutriPet Natural Chicken Fillet Strips 16-oz., 76-0081 (No bar code)
•50704 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Joint Health 5-oz., 669125507049
•50705 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Joint Health 15-oz., 69125507056
•50706 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Glossy Coat 5-oz., 669125507063
•50707 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Glossy Coat 15-oz., 669125507070
•50708 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Stress and Anxiety 5-oz., 669125507087
•50709 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Stress and Anxiety 15-oz., 669125507094
•50710 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Fresh Breath 5-oz., 669125507100
•50711 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Fresh Breath 15-oz., 669125507117
•50712 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Senoir Dogs 5-oz., 669125507124
•50714 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Healthy Digestion 5-oz., 669125507148
•50716 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Healthy Weight 5-oz., 669125507162
•50701 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 5-oz., 669125507018
•50702 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 8-oz., 669125507025
•50703 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 16-oz., 669125507032
•99044 Nutri-Vet K9 Hip & Joint Chicken Breast Strips 8-oz., 669125990445
Nutri-Vet says no positive test results have been found on the Nutri-Vet or NutriPet chicken jerky treats to date. However, consumers who have purchased Nutri-Vet and NutriPet chicken jerky products are urged to stop feeding them to pets and return the treats to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Nutri-Vet at +1.877.729.8668, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MDT.

New website about Chinese jerky pet treats aims to educate consumers

Bixbi, a Colorado, USA-based pet treat manufacturer, recently launched a new website, AwesomeValley.com, which the company says aims to educate consumers about the dangers of Chinese-sourced chicken jerky pet treats.
The new website takes a unique approach to educating consumers about jerky treats from China. It features fake pet products in the online store, such as Arsnick'r-Doodles and Formalde-Hound, as well as an interactive Flavor Creator and an 'Easter egg' coupon for Bixbi products for consumers who decode the Chinese message.