CDC and FDA Say STOP PURCHASING PIG EARS; THROW ANY OUT YOU MAY HAVE


August 29, 2019 • • • • •

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The Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC), various regulatory officials and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue to investigate and offer advice and warnings regarding “a multi-state outbreak of multidrug resistant salmonella infections linked to contact with pig ears for dogs. This important information is taken directly from those agency websites:

CDC and FDA are advising people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats, including any that may already be in homes.

  • CDC and FDA are advising people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats, including any that may already be in homes.
  • People can get sick after handling the treats or caring for dogs who ate the treats. Dogs might get sick after eating them.
  • 16 ill people have been added to this investigation since the last update on July 31, 2019.
  • 143 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 35 states.
    • Of 110 ill people with available information, 33 (30 percent) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
    • 26 illnesses (20%) are among children younger than five years.
  • Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback evidence indicates that contact with pig ear dog treats from many different suppliers is the likely source of this outbreak. For this reason, CDC and FDA are advising people not to buy any pig ear dog treats or feed them to their dogs.
  • State health and regulatory officials in several states and the FDA have tested pig ear dog treats at various suppliers and identified many different strains of Salmonella.
  • This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide updates when more information is available.
Advice to Dog Owners:
  • Do not feed any pig ear treats to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
    • Even if some of the pig ears were fed to your dog and no one got sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog.
    • Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held any pig ears with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wash your hands after handling any of these items, and insure the same for children who may have be exposed if they assist you or touch pig ears.
  • I fed pig ears to my dog. How do I know if I have a Salmonella infection?
    • People with a Salmonella infection may have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people recover without treatment. If you have symptoms of a Salmonella infection, talk to your healthcare provider.
  • How do I know if my dog has a Salmonella infection?
    • Some dogs with Salmonella infection may not look sick. Dogs with a Salmonella infection usually have diarrhea (which may be bloody). Sick animals may seem more tired than usual, and may vomit or have a fever.
    • If your dog has these signs of illness, or you are concerned that your pet may have Salmonellainfection, contact your pet’s veterinarian.
  • How can I report my dog’s illness if I think it’s related to pig ears?
  • Shop safely
    • Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching unpackaged dog food or treats, including products in bulk bins or on store shelves.
  • Take extra care around young children
    • Children under five should not touch or eat dog food or treats.
    • Young children are at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths.
    • Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
  • Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after handling dog food or treats. Pet Food Safety Infographic for more tips on staying healthy while caring for pets.

Advice to Pet Stores and Retailers Selling Pig Ears:

  • Importers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, and other retailers should not sell any pig ear dog treats.
    • Remove pig ears from retail. This includes both bulk bin and individually wrapped pig ears.
      • Throw them away in secure containers so that animals cannot get to them and insure employees know it’s not advised to take anything from these containers to protect their own health.
      • Retailers who choose not to immediately throw them away should securely and safely store packaged product until additional information is available.
    • Wash and sanitize any surfaces that have come in contact with pig ears. This includes bulk bins or shelves, other storage containers, and surfaces such as counters or displays.
    • Advise employees and customers to wash hands after handling pet treats and food.
    • For more information see FDA’s question and answers for retailers, distributors, importers, suppliers, and manufacturersexternal icon.

Recalls:

Several companies recalled pig ear products because they might be contaminated with one or more of the outbreak strains of Salmonella. For more information on the recalls listed below please see FDA’s investigationexternal icon.

No single supplier, distributor or common brand of pig ear treats has been identified that could account for all the illnesses. More products could be recalled as testing identifies Salmonella.