Pet Supplies Plus, a well-known pet supply retailer, has announced a voluntary recall of its bulk pig ear pet treats. This action comes in response to investigations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into potential Salmonella contamination in pig ear treats, which has been linked to human Salmonella infections.
The recall specifically affects bulk pig ears sold at Pet Supplies Plus locations. These pig ears were supplied by multiple vendors and sold in open bins. Pre-packaged, branded pig ears are not included in this recall. The affected bulk pig ears were distributed to Pet Supplies Plus stores across a wide range of states, including AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV.
Salmonella poses a health risk to both pets and humans. Pets consuming contaminated pig ears may develop symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea (potentially bloody), fever, and vomiting. Some pets might only show decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Even pets that appear healthy can be carriers of Salmonella and spread the bacteria to other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed recalled pig ears and is showing these signs, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Humans handling contaminated pet products are also at risk, especially if they do not wash their hands thoroughly afterwards or touch surfaces exposed to the product. Salmonella infection in humans can manifest as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (or bloody diarrhea), abdominal cramps, and fever. In rare cases, Salmonella can lead to more serious conditions, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract issues. Individuals experiencing these symptoms after contact with bulk pig ears from Pet Supplies Plus should seek medical attention.
To date, there have been 45 reported cases of Salmonella-related illness across 13 states. While none of these cases have been definitively linked to pig ears purchased from Pet Supplies Plus, testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development did find Salmonella in bulk pig ear product at one Pet Supplies Plus store.
As a precautionary measure, Pet Supplies Plus has removed bulk pig ears from all store shelves and halted shipments of bulk pig ears from its distribution center. The company is actively cooperating with the FDA in their ongoing investigation to determine the source of the reported Salmonella illnesses.
Consumers who have purchased bulk pig ears from Pet Supplies Plus are urged to immediately stop using the product and dispose of it properly. For any questions or concerns, consumers can contact the Pet Supplies Plus Neighbor Service team at 734-793-6564, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST (excluding holidays).
Contact Information:
- Consumers: Neighbor Service team – 734-793-6564
- Media: Kathryn Frakes – [email protected]
Pet Supplies Plus is committed to the safety of pets and their owners and is taking this voluntary recall seriously to ensure the well-being of its customers.
