Dog treats recalled over antibiotic

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SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Dog treat maker Hartz Mountain said it pulled two products that were made with Chinese chicken from shelves because they contained an illegal antibiotic.

The products -- Hartz Chicken Chews and Hartz Oinkies Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken -- were voluntarily recalled because they contained trace amounts of an antibiotic that is not approved for use in the United States, ABC News reported Thursday.

Hartz Mountain's decision to recall its products came after Del Monte and Nestle Purina voluntarily pulled chicken jerky pet treats made in China from shelves earlier this month because they were possibly contaminated by an antibiotic illegal in the United States.

In a statement posted on both the Hartz and U.S. Food and Drug Administration websites, Hartz said that the company found "trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue" in the treats. "Even though two-thirds of the treats we tested did not contain antibiotic residues," said the statement, "we would rather be overly cautious by voluntarily withdrawing these products from the market."

"Upon learning about the nationwide voluntary withdrawal of several other brands of chicken jerky products through media reports, Hartz acted immediately to begin additional testing to determine if the same unapproved antibiotic residues were present in our products," said Sean McNear, senior director of regulatory affairs and quality assurance at Hartz Mountain.