The product is: Dingo chip Twists “Chicken in the Middle” Dog Chew Treats
States:
California
Iowa
Illinois
Minnesota
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Packaging and Best By Date:
6-pack: Best by Date 5/16/2017
16-pack: Best by Date 12/27/2015 & 5/16/2017
FDA Notice: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/...
First off, a Class III (see here for FDA definition) is the lowest level of recall.
The problem is that a human anti-viral drug, Amantadine, not approved for animals in the west, ended up in the treats. Amantadine is used:
Amantadine is used to treat Parkinson's disease and conditions similar to those of Parkinson's disease. It also is used to prevent and treat respiratory infections caused by influenza A virus.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
It was also (over)used in Asia to treat Avian flu, according to
Wiki (see veterinary misuse section):
In 2005, Chinese poultry farmers were reported to have used amantadine to protect birds against avian influenza.[23] In Western countries and according to international livestock regulations, amantadine is approved only for use in humans. Chickens in China have received an estimated 2.6 billion doses of amantadine.[23] Avian flu (H5N1) strains in China and southeast Asia are now resistant to amantadine, although strains circulating elsewhere still seem to be sensitive. If amantadine-resistant strains of the virus spread, the drugs of choice in an avian flu outbreak will probably be restricted to the scarcer and costlier oseltamivir and zanamivir, which work by a different mechanism and are less likely to trigger resistance.
This product is made in China but, allegedly, the company on their website has stated that it is also made in Cambodia and Thailand.
My Take
I think it seems logical to assume that chicken treated with the drug amantadine was slaughtered then provided for this dog treat. What I have to wonder, however, is what it is doing in treats NOW when the Avian flu is apparently resistent to the drug. Apparently, it is still being used?
I can only add that imho, absolutely NO product from China (and apparently some surrounding countries) should be considered safe for consumption and I think that is particularly true for animal foods/treats, etc. Remember that not all products are tested.
There are plenty of ways to give your dogs food/treats (for treats: organic carrots w/ peanut butter on them, some types of raw vegetables excluding onions and garlic, homemade jerky and biscuits, etc.) without putting them at risk of ingesting things like this.
I don't normally editorialize on these recalls, but these kinds of things really make me angry. American companies import and distribute these products and should know better. Small deal or big deal, I personally do not want my animals eating hormones, drugs etc. And if they think it's so darned okay, put it in big bold lettering on the label and see how many consumers agree.
Please get the notice out on social media if you would be so kind.
And hug your doggies.