Dog Treats Recalled Over Salmonella Contamination: What Owners Need to Know

Elite Treats LLC, based in Boca Raton, Florida, has recalled a single lot of its “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs” after third-party lab testing identified Salmonella contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA classified the recall as Class I, its highest-risk category, reserved for situations with a reasonable probability of causing serious health consequences.

Here’s what pet owners need to know about the recall, the risk to both dogs and people, and what to do if you have the affected product.

What Was Recalled

The recall covers a single lot of Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs, sold in 6-ounce black and gold bags. According to the FDA notice, the affected packaging is marked with lot number 24045 and an expiration date of 04/2027. The product was distributed to Florida Hardware, LLC, which supplied it to feed stores across five states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

The contamination was not discovered through consumer illness reports. Instead, according to Petfood Industry and the FDA, it surfaced when third-party laboratory testing identified Salmonella in a related, commercially unreleased lot of the same product, prompting the company to recall the lot that had already reached store shelves as a precaution.

Has Anyone Gotten Sick?

As of the recall announcement, no illnesses in dogs or humans had been reported in connection with the affected treats, according to the FDA and multiple outlets covering the recall, including Fox Business and Pet Age. The recall was issued proactively based on lab testing rather than in response to confirmed cases of illness.

Why Salmonella in Pet Treats Is a Real Risk, Even Without Reported Illness

Salmonella can sicken both pets and the people who handle contaminated products, even without direct ingestion in the case of humans. Dogs infected with Salmonella may show:

• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
• Lethargy

Not all dogs exposed to Salmonella will show symptoms. Some can carry and shed the bacteria without appearing ill, which creates a risk of exposure to other pets and to people in the household, particularly young children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.

For humans, handling contaminated treats, especially without washing hands afterward, can lead to symptoms including fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. The FDA and CDC both recommend thorough handwashing after handling any pet food or treats, as a general precaution regardless of specific recalls.

What Owners Should Do

If you have purchased Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs, particularly from a feed store in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina, check the packaging against the recalled lot details:

1. Check the lot number and expiration date on the bag against lot 24045, expiring 04/2027.
2. Stop feeding the product to your dog immediately if it matches the recalled lot.
3. Do not throw the product where pets or wildlife can access it; dispose of it securely or return it to the point of purchase according to the retailer’s or manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the product or its packaging.
5. Contact your veterinarian if your dog has eaten the recalled product and is showing any signs of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or lethargy.
6. Watch for symptoms in yourself or family members, especially children, if you’ve handled the product, and contact your doctor if you develop symptoms of Salmonella infection.

According to the FDA, this recall has since been completed and formally terminated, meaning the corrective action process concluded from the agency’s standpoint. However, any consumers who still have the product on hand should follow the steps above, since recalled product can remain in homes well after a recall is officially closed out.

This Recall Is Part of a Broader Pattern

This wasn’t an isolated event in 2026. Earlier in the year, the FDA also listed a recall for Albright’s Raw Pet Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs due to Salmonella concerns, posted in May 2026, following a similar Elite Treats Chicken dog treat recall posted in February 2026 for Salmonella contamination as well. Separately, Raaw Energy expanded a recall of its dog food products manufactured between July 2025 and March 2026 due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, another serious bacterial risk. Raw pet food has drawn particular scrutiny this year — see our coverage of H5N1 bird flu found in raw cat food.

Pet food and treat recalls of this kind are more common than many owners realize, and staying informed is one of the simplest ways to protect both pets and family members.

How to Stay Informed About Future Pet Food Recalls

The FDA maintains an ongoing, publicly searchable list of animal food and treat recalls, which is the most authoritative source for current alerts. Pet owners who want to stay ahead of future recalls can:

• Check the FDA’s Animal & Veterinary Recalls & Withdrawals page periodically
• Sign up for recall alerts through the FDA or the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Register product warranty or loyalty cards with pet food manufacturers, which sometimes trigger direct recall notifications
• Keep an eye on reputable pet health and industry news sources for recall coverage

What to do if you have it

While no illnesses were reported in connection with this specific Elite Treats recall, the FDA’s Class I designation reflects how seriously the agency treats Salmonella as a risk to both dogs and the people who handle their food. If you have any Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs in your home, especially if purchased from a feed store in the five affected states, check the lot number right away and stop using it if it matches the recalled batch.

This article is based on information published by the FDA and reported by Petfood Industry, Fox Business, and Pet Age as of the time of writing. Recall statuses can change; consult the FDA’s official recall page for the most current information.

Sources

• FDA: Elite Treats LLC Recalls Single Lot of Chicken Chips Due to Salmonella Contamination
• Petfood Industry: Elite Treats recalls chicken chips lot over Salmonella
• Fox Business: FDA announces recall of Elite Treats dog treats over salmonella concerns
• Pet Age: FDA Alert — Florida-Based Elite Treats Recalls Chicken Chips Due to Salmonella Contamination