Category of the Product: Pet Treats (Dog Treats)
Type of the Product: Pet Food – Microbial Contamination / Salmonella Risk
Reason for Announcement
Salmonella contamination in dog treats – Presence of Salmonella, posing serious health risks to pets and humans via zoonotic transmission.
Elite Treats LLC, located in Boca Raton, Florida, has issued a voluntary recall of a single lot of its Chicken Chips dog treats, according to the official FDA recall notice, dated February 24, 2026. The 6-ounce black and gold resealable bags of the product were distributed to five states in the US, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama, to pet food stores such as Florida Hardware, LLC, to feed the pets of the residents in these states. Although no human or pet illnesses have been reported, the product should be immediately stopped from being fed to pets and returned to the company for a full refund. The product has been categorized by the FDA as a Class I recall, the highest level of risk, because it has the potential to contain Salmonella contamination, leading to severe health effects. [1]
Elite Treats undertook this voluntary Class I recall after laboratory verification of Salmonella contamination in lot 24045 as a precautionary measure to ensure pet as well as human safety. Salmonella has definite zoonotic transmission risks to humans from pets through Salmonella contamination or fecal matter, which is higher in children, elderly individuals, or those with compromised immunity.
Although the FDA’s investigation is still pending without a definite cause, contamination of this type of dehydrated poultry treat is normally related to processing, which may be attributed to persistence, equipment cross-contact, or ineffective reduction of pathogens. The isolation to a single lot indicates a contained incident rather than widespread raw material failure. [2]
Attribute | Details |
Brand | Elite Treats Chicken Chips |
Type | Dehydrated chicken breast strips for dogs |
Packaging | 6-ounce (170g) black and gold resealable bag |
Lot Number | 24045 (printed on back) |
Manufacturing Date | Not specified in FDA notice |
Best By | 04/2027 (April 2027, printed on back) |
UPC | Not listed in recall notice |
Distributed in | Florida Hardware, LLC to feed stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. |
The major issue identified by the FDA in this case involves the presence of Salmonella contamination in Lot 24045 of Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs, which could lead to serious and sometimes fatal salmonellosis infections in pets and humans.
The health concerns identified in this case are as follows:
Additionally, pets can spread Salmonella through their feces and saliva. This increases the risk of transmission in homes. This risk of transmission is particularly to children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals who may show no prior predisposition. Pets can spread Salmonella even if they do not show any prior symptoms. Dog treats are easily accessible and are perceived as safe for use, dry formats sustain bacterial viability longer than wet foods. This means that even potential contamination of dog treats warrants their immediate withdrawal. Contact healthcare providers if symptomatic after pet/product contact. [3]
The FDA classified this as a Class I recall, which is the highest category of risk. This product recall was prompted by possible Salmonella contamination that could lead to serious health issues and even death in pets and humans. The FDA requires immediate action in recalling the product at the consumer level and notifying retailers in five states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama. It requires retailers and distributors to destroy the product and prevent its use by children, pets, and wildlife. This underscores FDA’s stringent oversight of dehydrated poultry pet treats under animal food safety regulations. [4]
For Manufacturers and Distributors:
Elite Treats’ proactive recall—triggered by third-party lab testing of an unreleased related lot—demonstrates effective preventive quality control before consumer exposure. The single-lot isolation (Lot 24045) prevented wider distribution across five states. This incident highlights critical need for validated dehydration kill-steps and environmental Salmonella monitoring in poultry-based pet treats. Pet food manufacturers should maintain rigorous third-party testing and lot traceability.
Elite Treats LLC’s swift Class I voluntary recall of Chicken Chips Lot 24045, prompted by potential Salmonella contamination confirmed through third-party testing, successfully protects pets and households nationwide. Zero illnesses reported validates the preventive action.
Contact Food Research Lab for pet food safety testing, compliance audits, or Salmonella risk assessment.
National Animal Supplement Council. (n.d.). Elite Treats chicken chips dog treats recall (Salmonella). https://www.nasc.cc/dog/elite-treats-chicken-chips-dog-treats-recall-salmonella/
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