Hartz voluntarily recalls two dog treat products

Hartz Chicken Chews and Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken are being pulled from shelves nationwide due to tests that found low levels of unapproved antibiotic residue in one-third of the treats tested, according to a news release from The Hartz Mountain Corporation.

According to Hartz, the antibiotics found in its treats are unapproved for use in the United States although they have been cleared for use in poultry in China and other countries. The company said two-thirds of the products it tested were free of antibiotics, but it is voluntarily recalling the treats as a precautionary measure.

Hartz said it is aware that other chicken jerky products have been recalled recently, which factored into the company’s decision to exercise caution with its own treats.

The antibiotics do not pose a health risk for pets, and there is no obvious connection between the antibiotics and the FDA’s investigation of chicken jerky products made in China, according to Hartz.

“Upon learning about the voluntary withdrawal of several other brands of chicken jerky products through media reports, Hartz acted immediately to begin additional testing to determine if the same unapproved antibiotic residues were present in our products,” said Sean McNear, senior director of quality and regulatory at Hartz, in the press release.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled treats can call Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 to get a refund or visit www.hartz.com for further details.

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