Best Buy Bones, Inc., based in Mount Morris, Michigan, has announced a recall of four lots of Nature’s Own Pet Chews Bully Bites 1 Pound pet treats. The affected products are packaged in 16 oz. bags with an expiration date of September 2027 and were distributed out of Minnesota to retail stores in Wisconsin after September 23.
The recall was initiated due to the potential contamination with Salmonella. According to the company, “Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.”
Symptoms of Salmonella infection in people may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. In rare cases, more serious conditions such as arterial infections and endocarditis can occur. The company advises that “consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.”
For pets, symptoms can include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some may only show decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Healthy but infected pets can also spread the bacteria to other animals or humans.
The recalled product is identified as Nature’s Own Pet Chews brand Bully Bites (UPC# 739598900750), sold in resealable plastic pouches measuring 11 inches high by 9.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep at the bottom. The affected lots are numbered 19379 through 19382.
No illnesses in dogs have been reported so far.
The Food and Drug Administration discovered the health risk when it collected samples on September 11, which tested positive for Salmonella. Best Buy Bones has stopped production and distribution of this product while it works with the FDA to investigate the cause.
Consumers who purchased these treats after September 23 are advised not to sell or donate them and not to feed them to pets or other animals. They should return them to where they were purchased or destroy them so that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access them. The company also recommends washing and sanitizing pet food bowls and storage containers as well as hands after handling recalled food or related items.
For additional information about this recall or for questions regarding safe disposal methods, consumers can contact Best Buy Bones at (810) 687-2106 Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
