The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that Elite Treats LLC of Boca Raton, Florida has voluntarily recalled a single lot of "Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs" due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall affects 6-ounce packages marked with lot number 24045 on the back of distinctive black and gold bags.
The FDA issued the recall announcement Feb. 24, following the company's voluntary decision to pull the affected products from distribution. Salmonella contamination poses health risks to both pets and their human handlers, making proper identification and removal of affected products a priority for federal regulators.
The recalled dog treats are packaged in 6-ounce black and gold bags with lot number 24045 clearly marked on the back panel. Consumers should check their pet food supplies immediately and dispose of any products matching this specific lot identification. The recall notice indicates the lot number appears alongside expiration date information on the package backing.
Salmonella bacteria can cause serious illness in dogs, with symptoms including lethargy, diarrhea, fever, and loss of appetite. Pet owners should monitor animals that may have consumed the recalled treats and consult veterinarians if symptoms develop. The bacteria also poses risks to humans handling contaminated pet food, particularly during feeding routines or cleanup.
The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine oversees pet food safety under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which grants the agency authority to regulate animal food manufacturing, labeling, and distribution. This regulatory framework allows the FDA to coordinate voluntary recalls when contamination risks are identified through testing or consumer reports.
Elite Treats LLC initiated the voluntary recall after identifying potential Salmonella presence in the specific production lot. Voluntary recalls demonstrate industry cooperation with FDA oversight, allowing companies to address safety concerns proactively rather than through mandatory enforcement actions. The company has not reported any illnesses connected to the recalled products.
Consumers who purchased Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs should immediately check package lot numbers against the recalled batch. Products with lot number 24045 should be discarded safely or returned to purchase locations for refunds. Pet owners should wash hands thoroughly after handling potentially contaminated products and sanitize food bowls or storage areas.
The FDA recommends proper pet food handling procedures to minimize contamination risks. These include storing pet food in original packaging, using clean utensils for serving, and maintaining separate preparation areas for pet and human food. Regular handwashing after pet feeding reduces cross-contamination potential between animal and human household members.
Pet food recalls have increased regulatory attention following several high-profile contamination incidents affecting both domestic and imported products. The FDA's inspection programs target manufacturing facilities to verify compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices designed to prevent contamination during production processes.
Florida-based Elite Treats LLC operates under FDA jurisdiction for interstate pet food distribution, requiring compliance with federal safety standards. The company's Boca Raton facility falls under the agency's inspection authority, ensuring adherence to manufacturing protocols designed to prevent bacterial contamination during production.
Salmonella contamination in pet food can occur through various pathways, including raw ingredient contamination, inadequate processing temperatures, or post-processing cross-contamination. Manufacturing facilities must implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points systems to identify and control bacterial risks throughout production processes.
The recall affects only the single lot identified by number 24045, indicating the contamination likely occurred during a specific production run rather than systemic manufacturing problems. This targeted approach allows the company to address the immediate safety concern while maintaining distribution of unaffected product lots.
Pet owners should report any illnesses potentially connected to the recalled treats to both their veterinarians and the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal. This reporting system helps regulators track contamination incidents and identify patterns that might indicate broader safety concerns requiring additional regulatory action.
The FDA continues monitoring the recall's effectiveness through retailer cooperation and consumer response tracking. Successful voluntary recalls depend on comprehensive distribution chain notification and consumer awareness to ensure complete product removal from households where pets might be exposed to contaminated treats.