Pet Treats Recalled

Pig ears, considered a treat for dogs, have been ordered recalled because of salmonella contamination.

Based on information received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Central Farm Supply is recalling boxes of pig ears made by Eurocan Manufacturing, a pet products company in Kitchener, Ont., Canada.

"This is apparently a result of a Canadian girl becoming ill after handling a pig ear," said Adam Rives, purchasing agent for Central Farm Supply.

Rives said the product has been distributed through Central Farm Supply to retail customers in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He estimated about 100 boxes from a supply of about 500 may have already been purchased.

He urges, "Consumers who have purchased any of this product are asked to bring any remaining quantities to the store in which the purchase was made." The boxes ordered recalled are marked "Bull Wrinkle Pork Ears".

Ruth Weisheit, an FDA spokeswoman in a regional office in Brunswick, Ohio, said the product is not considered dangerous for dogs but salmonella contamination does pose a risk for dog owners, especially children.

Salmonella infections can be life threatening, particularly among infants, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 72 hours of infection.

Eurocan President Harry Munz said he knew of no reason for the recall. "I have no idea why they did that," Munz said. "The FDA has not contacted me or this office about any recall."

Munz did say Central Farm Supply has asked for a $1,700 credit for the pig ears supplied and that Eurocan would provide the credit.

"We have adopted measures since September to clean the product with chemical wash while still raw and reduce salmonella to zero, and then put it in the oven for a sufficient length of time to kill everything else in there," Munz said. "We are in full compliance."

He said U.S. and Canadian officials have been stringent about pig ears and other animal products recently.

"Not a pig ear has entered the United States the past two months without full testing for salmonella. I don't know what else I can do to assure public safety," he said.