A Texas pet food company is again expanding its recall of beef-flavored dog treats because of continued concerns about salmonella contamination.
Merrick Pet Care, Inc. on Monday announced it's widening the companys July recall to include all lots of 10 ounce Beet Filet Squares and Texas HoldEms treats, saying the products have the potential to be tainted with the bacterium that causes food poisoning.
This is the third time in recent weeks the Amarillo-based company has issued a recall involving various lot numbers of the treats, which were shipped to distributors and retailers nationwide.
In July, Merrick pulled 86 cases of its beef filet squares off the market after a sample analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested positive for salmonella. Earlier this month, the company pulled another 83 cases of those treats -- and the Texas HoldEms treats -- off store shelves. On Monday, Merrick recalled all lots of the treats sold in 10 ounce plastic bags because of ongoing concerns about salmonella contamination.
The company, however, said it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled treats.
Salmonella poses a health risk to animals and people who handle products tainted with the bacterium, the FDA said.
Salmonella poses a health risk to animals and people who handle the products tainted with the bacterium, the FDA said.
People can become infected with salmonella if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after touching contaminated products or any surfaces exposed to them.
Symptoms of salmonella infections in people include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever, the FDA said. In rare cases, salmonella can cause arterial infections, arthritis, muscle pain, and other serious health problems. People who experience these symptoms after handling salmonella-tainted products should contact their physicians.
Pets with salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, the FDA said. Some pets may only experience decreased appetites, fever, and abdominal pain.
Pet owners with dogs that experience any of these symptoms after eating the recalled treats should contact their veterinarians, the FDA said.
The agency also warned that infected but otherwise healthy pets can spread salmonella to animals and humans.
Consumers who purchased the recalled treats can return them to the store for a full refund, the company said. For more information about this action, contact Merrick at 1-800-664-7387.
