Dogswell jerky products recalled for antibiotic residue

Arthur Dogswell LLC, a pet food and treat manufacturer based in Los Angeles, has voluntarily recalled its chicken breast and duck breast jerky under the Breathies, Happy Heart, Happy Hips, Mellow Mut, Shape Up, Veggie Life, Vitality and Vitakitty brands that are labeled with a “best before” date of Jan. 29, 2015, or any earlier date. The jerky products were found to contain trace amounts of an antibiotic residue that is not approved for use in the United States.

Contamination of Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken Breast Jerky was discovered during routine testing by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets the week of July 22, prompting the company to recall all of the aforementioned chicken breast and duck breast jerky products. The company says the majority of the affected products were distributed before March 1 this year.

Dogswell says it began implementing new testing procedures to detect unapproved antibiotics in January. “All chicken and duck breast jerky products with a ‘Best Before’ date of Jan. 29, 2015, and later have been fully tested for and do not contain these antibiotics,” the company states in a release.Dogswell also says it does not consider the recalled products to be a health threat to consumers. “It is important to note that this antibiotic is accepted for use in other countries (including the European Union), and there is no evidence that products containing trace amounts of this antibiotic pose a health risk for pets or humans,” the release reads.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer warning against jerky products imported from China in July 2012. Dogswell sources its protein ingredients from China and manufactures some of its treats there as well. “China is a country where dark meat is more popular due to its inherent fat and flavor,” the company states in a “frequently asked questions” section of its website. “Dogswell believes it is less wasteful to obtain our white meat in China where it is abundant, rather than sourcing it domestically, where white meat is less available and held at a premium.”

The FDA has been testing chicken and other jerky products since 2007 after reports began mounting concerning imported products. The FDA has not been able to identify a contaminant in the products and therefore has not issued a recall. Currently, FDA continues to urge pet owners to use caution with regard to chicken jerky products.

As for the Dogswell recall, retailers have been instructed to destroy the recalled products in stock. Consumers can call 1-888-559-8833 or email info@dogswell.com with questions or concerns.