Hartz recalls rawhide chips for pets

Hartz Mountain Corp. has announced a recall of a specific lot of its chicken-basted rawhide chips for dogs because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

The chips in question come in 2-pound plastic bags. The bags have a lot code of JC23282 and a UPC number of 3270096463. The lot was distributed to a national retailer, according to AP, but Hartz did not specify which retailer.

Two tests of the chips did not reveal the contamination, but a third test did show the presence of the potentially dangerous contaminant.

Salmonella poisoning can be complicated for dogs, and has serious side effects. People who handle the chips that have compromised immune systems can also be at risk for infection.

No animals or humans have been reported ill from the chip poisoning, Hartz said, and the company said it is continuing to look for the source of the salmonella and will analyze the differences between the first two lab tests and the third.