Elite Treats recalls one lot of chicken chips over Salmonella risk
Elite Treats, LLC has recalled one lot of its Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs after potential Salmonella contamination was detected in a related, unreleased batch. The recall, posted by FDA on February 24, 2026, applies to 6-ounce bags marked with lot 24045 and an expiration date of 04/2027. The product was distributed through Florida Hardware, LLC to feed stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. FDA’s notice said no illnesses had been reported at the time of the announcement. (fda.gov)
The trigger appears to have been preventive rather than complaint-driven. In the company announcement posted by FDA, Elite Treats said third-party testing identified Salmonella contamination in a related lot that had not yet been commercially released. That matters because it suggests the recalled lot was pulled based on a contamination signal within the same product line, not after confirmed illnesses in pets or people. Petfood Industry’s coverage mirrored that sequence and underscored that only a single lot was implicated. (fda.gov)
The affected treats are packaged in a black-and-gold bag and marketed as chicken dog treats. Consumers were instructed to stop using the product, not sell or donate it, and dispose of it so children, pets, and wildlife can’t access it. FDA also advised cleaning and sanitizing bowls, cups, storage containers, utensils, and surfaces that may have contacted the treats, along with careful handwashing after handling the product. (fda.gov)
From a clinical standpoint, the recall fits a familiar Salmonella risk pattern in pet food and treat safety. FDA says exposed pets may show lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain, but may also be infected without obvious signs. Even asymptomatic animals can shed Salmonella and contaminate the home environment, which is why these recalls often become a client education issue as much as a patient care issue. FDA and CDC background materials also note that veterinarians may play a role in identifying suspect foodborne illness cases and guiding testing or reporting when household human illness is involved. (fda.gov)
There doesn’t appear to be much public expert commentary specific to this recall beyond trade and recall reporting, but the broader industry response has been consistent: emphasize safe handling, prompt disposal, and attention to both pet and human symptoms. FDA’s own model Salmonella recall language for pet food and pet treats reflects that same framework, including stopping use, sanitizing food-contact items, and contacting a veterinarian if symptoms develop. In other words, the messaging around Elite Treats follows an established regulatory playbook for zoonotic contamination events. (fda.gov)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the practical impact is less about the size of the recall and more about the dual-species exposure risk. A pet parent may call about mild GI signs in a dog, but the bigger concern can be hidden household spread, especially when immunocompromised people, young children, or older adults are present. Clinics may want to remind clients that a recalled treat should be treated as a contaminated fomite source, not just a food item to stop feeding. That includes asking about recently recalled products during GI workups, reinforcing hand hygiene, and discussing surface decontamination and bowl replacement or sanitation when appropriate. FDA policy and guidance around Salmonella in pet food also reflect the agency’s view that contamination in pet treats is a meaningful public health concern because these products are handled directly in homes. (fda.gov)
What to watch: The next key question is whether this remains a tightly contained, one-lot recall or expands as the company and regulators continue reviewing production and testing records. If additional lots, retail channels, or illnesses are identified, the scope could widen quickly; if not, this may remain a limited preventive action tied to one distribution window in the Southeast. (fda.gov)