Pig Ear Update from the CDC and FDA: Investigation Closed

The CDC has updated its notice to reflect that the outbreak of Salmonella linked to pig ear treats appears to be over, and the investigation is closed.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/pet-treats-07-19/index.html

Key points from CDC

As of October 30, 2019, CDC and FDA have dropped their warning to avoid buying or feeding any pig ear pet treats, except for treats that have already been recalled.

• Do not feed any recalled pig ears to dogs.

• Always wash your hands right after feeding any pig ears treats to your dogs.

154 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella were reported from 34 states.

• Of 133 ill people with available information, 35 (26%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

• 27 illnesses (19%) were among children younger than 5 years.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicated that contact with pig ear pet treats from many different suppliers was the likely source of this outbreak.

Advice to Pet Stores and Retailers Selling Pig Ear Treats

Importers, suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, and other retailers should not sell any recalled pig ear treats.

• Remove recalled pig ear treats from retail. This includes bulk bin and individually wrapped pig ear treats.

Retailers who start selling pig ears again should take steps to prevent Salmonella contamination.

• For more information, see FDA’s Questions and Answers for retailers, distributors, importers, suppliers, and manufacturers. 

Additional information can be found on the FDA notice.

Key points from the FDA

Based on the slowed rate of human illness reports, the FDA and CDC are no longer recommending that people avoid purchasing or feeding pig ear pet treats entirely. If you choose to feed pig ear pet treats, you should exercise caution and practice good hygiene to prevent human exposure by: monitoring your pet while they have the treat, picking up the treat when they are done with it, keeping treats away from small children, cleaning the areas the treat contacted, washing hands, and not allowing your pet to lick you, your family members, or surfaces in your home.

Retailers who wish to introduce pig ear pet treats into the market should take appropriate steps to ensure that their suppliers are controlling for pathogens, and that products are not cross-contaminated after processing. FDA urges firms to remain vigilant about taking measures to control pathogens such as Salmonella, and to conduct regular assessments, including testing, to ensure the effectiveness of their processing and the safety of their products.

FDA will continue to work with impacted firms to remove any contaminated pig ear pet treats from the marketplace and identify places where they may have been distributed.

Although the outbreak appears to be over, FDA will continue to monitor the marketplace as product is introduced and will provide the public with any new information as it becomes available. (FDA)

Q&A: Recovering from pig ear dog chew Salmonella outbreak

Officials advised that pet food and treat retailers take precautions if they resume selling pig ear dog chew treats. https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/8646-qa-recovering-from-pig-ear-dog-chew-salmonella-outbreak (Pet Food Industry)