Potential Salmonella contamination prompts Hartz recall

By: Jennifer Fiala For The VIN News Service

The Hartz Mountain Corp. has voluntarily recalled one specific lot of Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips due to fears that one or more bags is contaminated with Salmonella. In a release issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency warns of potential cross-contamination that might stem from handling the chips. No illnesses in humans or animals in relationship to the chips were reported at press time. The recall involved 4,850, two-pound plastic bags of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips, lot code JC23282, UPC number 3270096463, which were distributed nationally. The contamination was detected by an independent outside laboratory in a sample bag of the chips, FDA reports.

Hartz is investigating the source of the problem, agency officials say, and is taking immediate steps to pull the product from retail stores and distribution centers. Consumers who purchased recalled bags should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it, the FDA adds. Hartz can be reached at (800) 275-1414 to answer questions concerning the recall and reimbursement.