Chicken Jerky Treats from China: Milo's, Waggin' Train and Cadet Brand Recalled

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterianry Medicine has known for some time about that there’s something up with chicken jerky treats made in China. They had even sent scientists to China to figure everything out. They were unable to, at times, because of an apparent lack of cooperation. And at times because the scientists just couldn’t figure it out. Without definitive “proof” of specifically anything wrong with the product – despite the fact that some dogs were dying – the FDA CVM was unable to legally suggest a recall. Pet food companies and the pet superstores refused to blink, keeping product on the market. I called for a boycott.

Finally, this year, the he New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in some chicken jerky treats form China. Hence the recalls of the big players, Milo’s Chicken Jerky Treats and Waggin’ Train from Nestlé Purina.

This most recent recall is taken from Cadet Brand’s site (below). Bottom line: Don’t buy any chicken jerky treats, unless you are certain they are made in America, with products sourced in America.

IMS Trading Corp today announced it is voluntarily withdrawing its Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treat products sold in the United States until further notice.

The Company is taking this action after learning this week that the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in samples of Cadet brand Chicken Jerky Treat products. These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S.  Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treat products are safe to feed as directed and have not been linked to ANY illnesses in dogs or humans. However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States.

At first, New York State authorities requested that IMS Trading Corp remove Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky treats from retail locations only in the state of New York.  We have decided to expand this and conduct a voluntary withdrawal of these chicken treat products nationwide.

A double testing program is being established to check for these antibiotics in China (point of origin) and the United States before we consider to sell these products in the future.  Testing will be based on a scientifically sound statistical sampling program.

There is no indication that the trace amounts of antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue (in the parts-per-billion range) do not pose a health or pet safety risk.