Jerky Alert!

On the serious subject of jerky, I have found mold growing on human "Jack Links" jerky inside the sealed package. Twice! A search showed the company has many mold complaints going back five years... Gag!

This health announcement came from my vet's office:

Since 2007, FDA has become aware of an increasing number of illnesses in pets associated with the consumption of jerky pet treats. As of September 24, 2013, FDA has received approximately 3000 reports of pet illnesses which may be related to consumption of the jerky treats.

IMPORTANT: Not all jerky treats on the market are affected. Most of the reports involve jerky products sourced from China.

The treats are sold as jerky tenders or strips and are made with chicken, duck, sweep potato, dried fruit, and in combinations of these ingredients. The majority of the complaints involve dogs, but cats also have been affected. The reports involve more than 3600 dogs, 10 cats and include more than 580 deaths. There does not appear to be a geographic pattern to the case reports.

FDA has received adverse event reports for many sizes and ages of dogs, and for multiple breeds. About 60 percent of the reports are for gastrointestinal illness (with or without elevated liver enzymes) and about 30 percent relate to kidney or urinary signs. The remaining 10% of cases involve a variety of other signs, including convulsions, tremors, hives, and skin irritation. Despite extensive testing, to date, none of the tests have revealed the cause of the illnesses.

FAQ:
What are the products involved?
The majority of complaints involve chicken jerky (treats, tenders, and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato, and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams.

Are there specific brands we should be concerned about?
The illnesses have been linked to many brands of jerky treats. The one common factor the cases share is consumption of a chicken or duck jerky treat or jerky-wrapped treat, mostly imported from China. Pet owners should be aware that manufacturers do not need to list the country of origin for each ingredient used in their products, so packages that do not state on the label that they are made in another country may still contain ingredients sourced from China or other countries that export to the U.S.

Why aren't these products being taken off the market?
Some of these products were removed from the market in January 2013, after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Marketing (NYSDAM) Food Laboratory reported finding six unapproved Antibiotic drugs in certain jerky pet treats manufactured in China. Since that time, complaints of illnesses associated with jerky pet treats have dropped significantly. However, FDA does still continue to receive reports, and we believe that the decline in reports is because the majority of jerky treat products are not currently available as a result of the removal from the market of those products found to contain unapproved Antibiotics .

There is nothing preventing a company from conducting a voluntary recall. This is an ongoing investigation and FDA will notify the public if a recall is initiated. Currently, FDA continues to urge pet owners to use caution with regard to jerky pet treat products.

Should I stop feeding jerky pet treats to my pet?
Jerky pet treats should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed only occasionally and in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their pets jerky pet treats to watch their pets closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products:
decreased appetite;
decreased activity;
vomiting;
diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
increased water consumption; and/or
increased urination.
These signs may occur within hours to days of feeding the products. If the pet shows any of these signs, consumers should immediately stop feeding the jerky pet treat and consult their veterinarian. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi-like syndrome (increased glucose). Although FDA has reports of more than 580 deaths, many pets have recovered with veterinary intervention.

What should I do if my dog shows signs of illness after eating pet jerky treat products?
If your dog shows any of the signs listed above, stop feeding the jerky pet treat product and consult your veterinarian. FDA also asks that owners save the pet treat product for possible testing later on. When possible, this should be done by placing the jerky pet treat product, including its original packaging or container, in a larger sealable bag.


------------------------------------------------------
Tweet