Chicken jerky treats continue to kill dogs, Walmart brand blamed while FDA investigates
A troubling news report released this week: The Food and Drug Administration is investigating another chicken jerky treat brand suspected of making dogs deathly ill.
The brand, Golden Rewards, is a private label brand of Walmart’s; It has only been out a year and already it is blamed for causing illness and death of dogs nationwide.
Three guesses where the treats are from and the first two guesses don’t count:
China.
Dogs have been given the diagnosis of acquired Fanconi’s syndrome, a rare kidney disease commonly associated with jerky treats and poultry meal imported from China.
The FDA calls it the “hallmark” disease among dogs thought sickened by jerky made in China.
In the report, the FDA said that the complaints about Golden Rewards treats involved 23 sick dogs including three deaths.
Walmart, unmoved by the report said in a statement:
Meanwhile, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Safe Chicken and Meat for Children Act of 2015 on Friday. DeLauro explains:
“I introduced this bipartisan legislation to prevent Chinese meat and chicken from being used in federal nutrition programs given China’s atrocious history of poorly-enforced food safety laws. It is a moral imperative to ensure the food we serve America’s children is safe…”
She points to the FDA report of thousands of pets in the United States that were made sick or died from eating pet treats containing contaminated chicken imported from China that was found to be laced with illegal antibiotics.
DeLauro points to an alarming Asia Inspection study that found that almost half of Chinese food-processing plants fail to meet internationally acceptable standards. In some cases, laboratory tests found abnormal levels of pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals, bacteria or viruses that could put consumers at risk.
Last year, a hearing (broadcast live) before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Pet Treats and Processed Chicken from China: Concerns for American Consumers and Pets, raised important concerns about the safety of poultry from China and called on government to address the problem.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Brown, said in his opening statement that he called for the hearing to
“…seek answers for American consumers, pet owners, farmers, and parents about the safety of pet treats and processed chicken and animal feed from the People’s Republic of China…Many of us raise our animals almost like members of our families. That’s why it’s so troubling that we still do not know, seven years in, if you will, what’s causing the deaths and illnesses of thousands of dogs.”
Consumers should be aware that these problems are not restricted to just jerky pet treats – any pet food product containing poultry/chicken meal, or poultry/chicken by-products imported from China could conceivably be contaminated as well.
Importantly, because manufacturers are not required to list the country of origin of each ingredient used in their product, consumers assume when the label indicates a product is made in the US they are led to believe the ingredients originated in the US. Even more opaque, is the claim that a company’s ingredients were sourced in the US, when in fact, it could only mean that their supplier is located in the US – but where the supplier obtains their goods is not revealed.
What consumers need to know is that any poultry product or ingredient that claims to be manufactured in the United States could be dangerous, because while many of the products are, in fact, assembled in the USA, they could still include ingredients sourced in China.
To report a complaint about any pet food to the FDA, visit their pet food complaint page here.
If you want to submit a complaint to the FDA specifically about the jerky treat products or want to learn more about the issue, visit the FDA’s jerky pet treat information page.
SOURCE: FDA investigating if dog treats made Atlanta pet sick
Thanks to Susan Thixton of Truth About Pet Food for alerting me to this article.
Pet Food Safety News publishes reader-supported investigative reporting on commercial pet food, industry practices, and regulatory issues affecting consumers. It has no financial ties to pet food companies. Donations help fund the research, writing, and publishing costs behind this work and support continued reporting on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the pet food industry. If you value this reporting, please consider donating.
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101 Comments
Karen
My dog, Pierre, ate one of the Golden Rewards chicken wrapped sweet potatoes. Afterwards I gave him dinner. Within 30 minutes, he was throwing up. He was acting weird and became lethargic. I took him to an emergency vet, where they diagnosed him with anaphylactic shock. He died that same night. Don’t feed these to your dog. They are sold at Walmart and made in China. I am heartbroken.
DENNIS
THANK YOU I HAD NO IDEA I THOUGHT PURE CHICKEN HAD TO BE GOOD. THEY DO NOT SAY MADE IN CHINA BUT I STOPPED BUYING THEM!
Jeff
These treats are made in Taiwan not China.
Also, why I’m i unable to read any of the 147 supposed comments ?
Michele
How can we get these treats pulled from the shelves at the stores?
Azlan Erin White
Hi.
unfortunately I have already been feeding my wolf dogs these treats.
Are they really that bad?
I will stop immediately if so.
Oh my.
its so hard to find clean food.
Lynn olen Yinger
Why does the FDA allow treats and food from China to be sold in the U.S. if there unsafe????
stacy
My dog is dying from the Golden Rewards Chicken Jerkey right now😭
Sonja Moore
My dog got very sick from a golden treat chicken jerky treat yesterday I’m throwing the bag away, my other dog experienced the same vomiting after eating the same treat ..
Jon
Despite the fact that Golden rewards dog treats are made in China and the bag does say no byproduct meal number one first ingredient duck, salt, Glycerin. The bag may seem like it’s healthy but you really just don’t know simply because it came from China I don’t blame the company for trying to save money but at the same time they charge so much money for these dog treats I find it misleading to think that because of the price and no byproduct meal you are getting dog treats that are safe and won’t make them sick. But we really don’t know that so I’m no longer going to purchase Golden rewards dog treats because they outsource these dog treats to be made in China and those people over there are filthy animals The Chinese people will eat anything that crawls and it’s been proven how abusive they are to animals and when it comes to the laws protecting the consumer or the pets over there. When it comes to how the food is being made it’s extremely alarming. The more research I do the more I’m realizing it doesn’t matter what company makes the dog treats if they outsource the project to China simply don’t buy that product anymore Stick with companies who want to make their treats for your pets made in America then you’re less likely to watch your dog die.
Keith Norman
I’ve been feeding my pet golden rewards premium dog treats 2 years now she loves him and does the most amazing trick for just one of them she loves the sweet potato duck and chicken treats I don’t need them to her like a meal just treats for her she loves and so far she’s very healthy and happy I would love to post a video of what she’ll do for just one of these truths
Jenni
We gave our dog Golden Rewards sticks, premium dog treats. He immediately had cognitive issues, loss of his back legs.
Thankfully, we noticed symptoms early and took him right off. He has since improved, but still seems confused.
Michael Gautreaux
I wish we knew of this before we gave it to a poodle! This poodle was a service dog for a deaf person. After given the poodle this snack, got sick, foamy at the mouth, and passing blood from the rectum. It was taken to the vet. It could not be saved! July 23, 2022. Purchased at Walmart in Houma, Louisiana.
Eric Slater
Mando our German Shepard has in the past couple day been puking off and on. It’s the cookie of these treats. And the only thing that has changed in his diet. Other than that he doesn’t seem sick. So i looked up these to see if there where issues. Needless to say they are in the garbage now. Hope he will be ok.
PitandMarly
You should check house hound treats, not safe.
Julie A Davis
I have been feeding my dogs Golden Rewards treats for at lest 10 years with zero problems except they aren’t always satisfied with only one!!