Dog Treat Recall: Possible Salmonella

(This information is provided by the Food and drug Adminstration.)

Be careful of the dog treats you give your pooch.

Popular dog treat company, Charlee Bear Products, is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its Protein Crunch Bar products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, according to an FDA press release.

The brand is carried in such Laguna Niguel pets stores as Pets Plus, Wild's and Unleashed.

The following products are being recalled:

• Charlee Bear Protein Crunch Bars – Chicken Recipe with Carrots
  5.5 oz packages; UPC Code: 8710890000 
  Lot number 19812; Best by date: 07-16-2015 
  Lot number 19912; Best by date: 07-17-2015 
  Lot number 20012; Best by date: 07-18-2015 
  Lot number 20212; Best by date: 07-20-2015
• Charlee Bear Protein Crunch Bars – Chicken Recipe with Sweet Potatoes
  5.5 oz packages; UPC Code: 8710890001 
  Lot number 20112; Best by date: 07-19-2015

There have been no reported animal or human illnesses related to these products.

The potential for contamination was noted after a finished product sample of Protein Crunch Bars – Chicken Recipe with Carrots (Lot no. 19812) tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. Charlee Bear is recalling that lot number and, out of an abundance of caution, the additional lot numbers identified above, all of which are manufactured by a contract manufacturer that is not otherwise involved in the production of any other products in the Charlee Bear line.

Please note that this recall applies only to these lots of Charlee Bear Protein Crunch Bars.

The recalled Charlee Bear Protein Crunch Bars were distributed nationally in September and October 2012.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling contaminated product can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

No illnesses have been reported to date in animals or humans in connection to these products.

Consumers who have purchased these specific recalled lots of Charlee Bear Protein Crunch Bars are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions should visit charleebear.com, email info@charleebear.com or call 1-800-396-8893.

Lot codes appear below the UPC on the back panel.

UPC Codes: 8710890000 or 8710890001 
Lot 19812, Best By 07/16/2015 
Lot 19912, Best By 07/17/2015 
Lot 20012, Best By 07/18/2015 
Lot 20212, Best By 07/20/2015 
Lot 20112, Best By 07/19/2015