U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials updated their report on the federal agency's continuing investigation into Salmonella infections connected to recalled pig ear dog treats. As of August 27, the Centers for Disease Control reported 143 cases of human infection by Salmonella enterica related to exposure to pig ear dog treats. Of these, 33 people were hospitalized. Many of the Salmonella infections in people have proven to be resistant to multiple drugs.
While the Salmonella infections have occurred in 35 states, the source seems to be pig ears imported from Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, although not all pig ears correlated to infections came from these countries. Mingling in bulk bins can make determining the products' origins difficult, stated FDA officials.
On August 22, the FDA updated their warning about the Salmonella contaminated pig ear dog chews, Import Alert 72-03. The document now names three firms that presented pig ears for import that then tested positive for Salmonella: Custom Pet S.A.S (Colombia), Suarko SRL (Argentina) and Anabe Industria e Comercio de Proteinas (Brazil).
Timeline of pig ear dog chew recall coverage
July 5, 2019 - Pet Supplies Plus recalls pig ear dog chew for Salmonella
Pet Supplies Plus is advising consumers it is recalling bulk pig ear product supplied to all locations by several different vendors due to the potential of Salmonella contamination.
July 23, 2019 - 93 Salmonella cases likely caused by pig ear dog treats
CDC officials stated that the likely sources of the bacteria were pig ear dog treats. Officials have not identified a common supplier.
July 30, 2019 - Lennox recalls pig ear dog treats for Salmonella
Public health officials in the United States continue investigating 93 cases of Salmonella infection in humans, as of July 17, which pig ear dog treats may have spread.
July 31, 2019 - FDA, CDC recommend no pig ear dog chew use in US
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that people neither buy nor use all pig ear pet treats in the United States.
August 19, 2019 - Dog Goods recalls pig ear dog chews for Salmonella
Dog Goods USA LLC recalled Chef Toby Pig Ears Treats because of possible Salmonella contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
August 28, 2019 - Brutus & Barnaby recalls pig ear dog chews for Salmonella
Bags of our Pig Ears were distributed throughout all states via Amazon.com, Chewy.com, Brutusandbarnaby.com and the brick and mortar Natures Food Patch in Clearwater, Florida.
September 9, 2019 - Dog Goods expands pig ear dog treat recall for Salmonella
This recall is being expanded after Rhode Island Department of Health testing found Salmonella in Berkley and Jensen brand pig ear pet treats.
