This recall only affects the specialty dog chew items listed above, and does not include any other dog treats or chews sold under the Uncle Sam’s brand.

There have been no positive tests for Salmonella in any of these Uncle Sam’s dog treats in the United States and there have been no known illnesses related to Salmonella in these Uncle Sam’s dog treats.

This recall was initiated at the recommendation of the FDA following a recall of similar products in Canada in November. These beef trachea treats were processed for the Uncle Sam’s product line by a third party manufacturer, and were not produced in the same manufacturing plant as other Uncle Sam’s pet treats.

Salmonella is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy people may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications can include arthritis.

As a precaution, these Uncle Sam’s treats are being removed from store shelves and from distribution. Distribution of these particular Uncle Sam’s pet treats has been nationwide as well as in Canada and in Puerto Rico, but primarily in grocery and hardware stores in the upper Midwest, and in limited grocery distribution in the Northeast and in northern California.

Consumers who have purchased these products can return them to their retailer or simply discard them in the trash at home.

In the meantime, pet owners should exercise care when handling these particular dog chew products. The FDA suggests that anyone who comes in contact with these items should wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Consumers with questions can contact Uncle Sam’s pet treats at 800-228-9031.

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