Frequently Asked Questions
Nestlé Purina Announces Voluntary Withdrawal of Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand
Dog Treats Due to Trace Amounts of Antibiotic Residue
Q: Why are you withdrawing these products?
Q: What products are included in this product withdrawal?
Q: Have there been any complaints or reports of illness caused by the antibiotic residue?
Q: What symptoms should I watch for in my dog?
Q: Where in the United States were the products in this withdrawal distributed for purchase?
Q: When did you become aware there could be an issue with these products?
Q: What should I do if my dog is experiencing health problems after consuming these products?
Q: What should I do if I believe I purchased one of these products?
Q: Will I get a refund for this product? How?
Q: What antibiotics did the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets find?
Q: How did the antibiotics occur in these products?
Q: I fed the product to my dog, but he doesn’t have any symptoms yet. What should I do?
Q: Are there any environmental concerns with disposing the affected product?
Q: My cat ate some of this product. Should I be concerned?
Q: How many other cases of antibiotic residue have been reported with this product?
Q: Why are Waggin’ Train products not being withdrawn in Canada as they are in the United States?
Q: Why are you withdrawing these products?
A: All of us at Nestlé Purina and Waggin’ Train care very deeply about pets and pet owners, and the quality and safety of our products are our top priorities. The New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) has advised us that they found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in a limited number of samples of our chicken jerky treats. These trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets. These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S. Antibiotics are commonly used globally, including in the United States, when raising animals fit for human consumption. Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are safe to feed as directed. However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered adulteration in the United States. These findings do not pose a safety risk to pets. The health of pets and the relationship of trust we have with pet owners are critically important to us.
Q: What products are included in this product withdrawal?
A: All Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats are being withdrawn until further notice. No other Purina brand treats are included in this withdrawal. In addition, Canyon Creek Ranch dog and cat foods, which are manufactured in the United States, are not included in this withdrawal.
Q: Have there been any complaints or reports of illness caused by the antibiotic residue?
A: No. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets at the levels detected. There is no connection between the trace amount of antibiotic residue found in these samples and the ongoing FDA investigation into chicken jerky treats.
Q: What symptoms should I watch for in my dog?
A: The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets at the levels detected, and no related pet illnesses have been reported.
However, any time you have questions or concerns regarding the health of your pet, we encourage you to contact your veterinarian.
Q: Is this related to the FDA’s advisory about chicken jerky treats in China, and the consumer reports of illness and death of dogs consuming chicken jerky treats?
A: No. There is no connection between the trace amount of antibiotic residue found in these samples and the ongoing FDA investigation into chicken jerky treats.
Q: Where in the United States were the products in this withdrawal distributed for purchase?
A: The affected products were distributed nationally.
Q: When did you become aware there could be an issue with these products?
A: The New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) advised Nestlé Purina on January 7, 2013, that the agency found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in a limited number of samples of its chicken jerky treats. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets, and no pet illnesses related to this issue have been reported.
Q: What should I do if my dog is experiencing health problems after consuming these products?
A: If you have any concerns regarding the health of your pet, we encourage you to contact your veterinarian.
Q: What should I do if I believe I purchased one of these products?
A: Although the product is safe, it is technically considered adulterated, and we would recommend you dispose of it. If you no longer have the product, no further action is required.
Q: Will I get a refund for this product? How?
A: Yes. Call our Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-982-0704.
Q: What antibiotics did the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets find?
A: According to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM), the trace amounts of residual antibiotics include sulfaclozine, tilmicosin, trimethoprim, enrofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole.
These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved for poultry in the United States. Antibiotics are commonly used globally, including in the United States, when raising animals fit for human consumption. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue (in the parts-per-billion range) do not pose a health or safety risk for pets. In fact, in its January 9, 2013, update, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) stated that “FDA/CVM is confident that the NYSDAM results do not raise health concerns.”
It’s important to note that there is no indication that the trace amounts of antibiotic residue are linked to FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products.
Q: How did the antibiotics occur in these products?
A: Antibiotics are commonly used globally, including in the United States, when raising animals fit for human consumption, and these antibiotics are considered to be low risk for any adverse health reaction in pets. Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are safe to feed as directed. However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States. These findings do not pose a safety risk to pets. The health of pets and the relationship of trust we have with pet owners are critically important to us.
Q: I fed the product to my dog, but he doesn’t have any symptoms yet. What should I do?
A: The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets at these levels.
Q: Are there any environmental concerns with disposing the affected product?
A: No.
Q: My cat ate some of this product. Should I be concerned?
A: No. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health risk to pets.
Q: How many other cases of antibiotic residue have been reported with this product?
A: We are unaware of any other reports of antibiotic residue occurring in these products.
Q: Why are Waggin’ Train products not being withdrawn in Canada as they are in the United States?
A: Regulatory frameworks vary from country to country. The voluntary withdrawal of products in the U.S. was a decision based on findings from New York State and the impact of those findings within the U.S. regulatory framework. Canada has a different regulatory framework. We are not aware of any regulatory compliance issues in Canada, and no withdrawal action is necessary. At Nestlé Purina, the quality and safety of our products are our top priorities, and these products are safe to feed as directed, and do not pose a safety risk to pets. In fact, a Jan. 9 update from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) states: “FDA/CVM is confident that the NYSDAM results do not raise health concerns, and are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illness FDA has received related to chicken jerky treats.”
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