Rawhide Dog Chews Recalled Over Potential Chemical Contamination

The company on June 10 initiated a voluntary recall of its branded rawhide products which included: American Beefhide, Digest-eeze, and Healthy Hide (including Healthy Hide – Good -n- Fun and Healthy Hide – Good -n- Fit).

United Pet Group ordered the recall after it learned that some of its manufacturing facilities in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil were using a quaternary ammonium compound mixture as a processing aid to make the rawhide chews.

The compound is approved for cleaning food processing equipment, but has not been approved in the U.S. as a processing aid for the production of rawhide dog chews.

Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause the following symptoms in dogs: reduced appetite and gastric irritation, including diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may require treatment by a veterinarian.

Affected products were distributed nationwide from United Pet Group’s Edwardsville, Illinois distribution facility and delivered to consumers through various retail establishments, including online outlets.

All products affected by the recall feature expiration dates ranging from 06/01/2019 to 5/31/2020 on the back of the package, with the exception of the Enzadent and Dentahex products, which are listed by UPC codes below and specific expiration dates outlined below:

• Companion: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Distributed by FOODHOLD U.S.A., LLC LANDOVER, MD 20785 1-877-846-9946
• Dentley’s: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Pacific Coast Distributing, Inc. 19601 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ USA 85027
• Enzadent or Dentahex: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with the below listed UPC codes printed on the back of the package and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2021 through 05/31/2022 are affected by this recall.ENZADENT CHIPS MED 30 CT 17030030181
  ENZADENT CHIPS PETITE 30 CT 17030030167
  ENZADENT CHIPS SM 30 CT 17030030174
  ENZADENT CHIPS LG 30 CT 17030030198
  DENTAHEX CHIPS PETITE 30 CT 17030030228
  DENTAHEX CHIPS SM 30 CT 17030030235
  DENTAHEX CHIPS MED 30 CT 17030030242
  DENTAHEX CHIPS LG 30 CT 17030030259The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Manufactured for Vetoquinol USA Inc. Ft. Worth, TX USA 76137
• Essential Everyday: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Distributed by SUPERVALU INC. EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344 USA
• Exer-Hides: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Distributed by WalMart Stores, Inc. Bentonville, AR 72716
• Good Lovin’ or Petco: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Distributed by: International Pet Supplies and Distribution, Inc. San Diego, CA 92121
• Hill Country Fare: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products: Distributed by H-E-B San Antonio, TX 78204
• Priority Pet: This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:Distributed by Lucerne North America LLC
  P.O. Box 99
  Pleasanton, CA 94566-0009
  1-866-578-4395

United Pet Group is still investigating the cause of the problem and working to implement changes across the affected manufacturing facilities in order to prevent it from happening again. The company is also working with retailers to ensure that affected products are no longer sold and removed from inventory.

If you purchased any of the above products you should dispose of them immediately or return them to United Pet Group or the place of purchase for a full refund.

To date, no pet illnesses or injuries have been associated with the recall.

Source: Miami Herald