Dog treat manufacturer bends to will of FDA after Salmonella findings

The threat of a mandatory recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prompted Kasel Associated Industries to voluntarily recall all products manufactured at its Denver, Colo., facility from April 20, 2012, through Sept. 19, 2012, due to possible Salmonella contamination.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kasel Industries is recalling Boots & Barkley, BIXBI, Nature’s Deli, Colorado Naturals, Petco and Best Bully Stick items. The recalled dog treats were distributed nationwide through various retailers including Target, Petco, Sam’s Club and Costco. Most of the products have a two-year shelf life.

The detection of Salmonella in Kasel’s products is a repeat offense, according to FDA records. Incidents leading to the threat of mandatory recall began Sept. 17, 2012, when Colorado’s Department of Agriculture notified Kasel that a finished product sample of Boots & Barkley American Beef Bully Sticks tested positive for Salmonella. A voluntary recall of the product followed Sept. 21, 2012. The FDA inspected Kasel’s manufacturing facility Sept. 19-28, 2012, collecting product samples and environmental samples. “All of the finished product samples, one out of two in-process bulk product samples, and 48 of 87 environmental swab samples were positive for Salmonella,” said Siobhan DeLancey, RVT, MPH, a veterinary team leader with the FDA, in an email to dvm360. “Some of the positive environmental samples were taken on food contact surfaces (e.g., conveyor belt). FDA’s investigators also noticed live insects and evidence of rodent activity in the manufacturing facility.”

More recalls followed the inspection. One lot of Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats was voluntarily recalled Oct. 2, 2012, and Boots & Barkley American Pig Ears and American Variety Pack products were recalled Oct. 17, 2012--all due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination. However, the FDA says that after another product sample tested positive on Nov. 19, Kasel requested additional testing and informed the FDA that the product would not be recalled until its results were complete.

The FDA encouraged Kasel to recall the lot of Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats that tested positive. The company declined to do so. The FDA proceeded by issuing an advisement to consumers Dec. 6, 2012, not to feed the treats to their pets.

The FDA conducted a second inspection of the Kasel facility Feb. 14, 2013. The inspection concluded with the issuance of a “Prehearing Order to Cease Distribution and Give Notice” letter, which is required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) prior to a mandatory recall. The letter provides companies with the opportunity to cease distribution and conduct a voluntary recall before the FDA exercises its mandatory recall authority given by food safety law.

Consumers who have purchased any recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers of Kasel Associated Industries products can call (800) 218-4417 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MDT Monday through Friday with questions. Go to www.fda.gov for the full list of recalled lot numbers, to read the prehearing order letter and to read the inspectional observations for the FDA’s September 2012 inspection of the Kasel manufacturing facility.