Multiple brands of rawhide chew recalled because of possible chemical contamination

Photo courtesy of the FDA.

United Pet Group, a division of Spectrum Brands Inc., is voluntarily recalling multiple brands of rawhide dog chew products distributed to stores and online retailers in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports. The recall involves American Beefhide, Digest-eeze and Healthy Hide brand rawhide treats.

The recall was initiated after United Pet Group discovered that certain manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Colombia, as well a supplier in Brazil, were using a quaternary ammonium compound to aid in processing of the rawhide chews. The compound is an antimicrobial chemical approved for cleaning food processing equipment.

United Pet Group received limited reports of pet illness based on the possibly affected rawhide chew products. The primary complaint was that the product had an unpleasant odor. Diarrhea and vomiting were also reported. Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause reduced appetite, diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. These clinical signs may require treatment by a veterinarian depending on severity.

The affected product was distributed nationwide from United Pet Group's Edwardsville, Illinois, distribution facility. All of the dog chew products included in the recall identify an expiration date ranging from June 1, 2019, through May 31, 2020. Lot codes are limited to those that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO or AB. All package sizes and weights of these products have been recalled.

The FDA is urging pet owners who have purchased recalled products to dispose of the chews or return them directly to United Pet Group or the retail establishment of original purchase. The brand logos pictured above can assist in identifying affected products.

“We take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously and we are continuing to investigate the cause of this problem,” United Pet Brands states in the FDA release. “We are implementing changes across the affected manufacturing facilities in order to prevent this problem from reoccurring in the future. United Pet Group is also working with retailers to ensure that the affected products are no longer sold and removed from inventory.”

For more information, contact the United Pet Group consumer affairs team at (855) 215-4962 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time.