Information provided by Hollywood Feed to TruthaboutPetFood.com evidences that the recalled dog treats (published on TAPF on 10/11/23) were never put into distribution – were never sold to consumers. The jerky treats were received by the pet store chain Hollywood Feed, Hollywood Feed tested the shipment, discovered a Salmonella positive sample, reported the issue to FDA and returned the treats to the manufacturer Carolina Prime. Because we (mistakenly) trusted the FDA Enforcement Report records, we were hesitant to edit the recall notice without evidence, Hollywood Feed provided that evidence.
The treats are still being recalled – at least we assume so (we have to make an assumption because FDA isn’t bothering to tell the public exactly what is going on). But again, the treats were not sold at Hollywood Feed stores – they were sent back to the manufacturer Carolina Prime.
Two things…
Kudos to Hollywood Feed for following proper protocol and reporting the Salmonella positive test results to FDA. We are confident some would have simply returned the shipment without properly reporting to FDA – which would allow the manufacturer to redistribute the Salmonella positive treats in other stores.
But…why didn’t FDA explain this to the public? The FDA set this whole issue in motion by not providing complete details in the Enforcement Report of how this Salmonella positive jerky treat was handled. We sent FDA questions 24 hours prior to posting the recall – and 3 days later the agency has still not bothered to respond. Because Hollywood Feed followed proper procedures by reporting the Salmonella positive treats to FDA, shouldn’t FDA have clarified in the Enforcement Report this retailer did the right thing?
The FDA wants pet food safety advocates to help notify the public when recalls occur, how can we help notify the public when the agency puts misleading/incomplete information on their website?
The FDA also wants retailers/manufacturers to do the right thing and report issues to the agency. FDA’s actions with Hollywood Feed – throwing them under the bus when the retail chain followed proper procedures – does not make reporting issues to FDA an easy decision to make for retailers or manufacturers.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Teresa Johnson
October 13, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Again, it is an indication of which rules, policies, laws will be “cherry picked” and which problems/issues will be acted upon in a correct and timely fashion… In my opinion FDA can no longer, if ever, be trusted to do right by the consumer public.
I’m glad Hollywood Feed has shown more integrity than is apparent in a government agency. Maybe that’s because folks at Hollywood Feed think of themselves as consumers too.
Like the targeting of various raw pet food companies and raw food in general this makes me wonder what ax FDA has grind with Hollywood Feed and/or Carolina?! Looks suspicious. Just saying.
Michele Little
October 13, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Thank you for the update. It is refreshing to have the whole truth.