Elite Treats Recalls Chicken Chips for Dogs Over Salmonella Risk

BOCA RATON, Fla. (February 24, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Elite Treats, LLC is voluntarily recalling a single lot of its Chicken Chips for Dogs due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The recall was initiated after third-party laboratory testing identified the pathogen in a related, commercially unreleased batch of the product. The FDA warns that Salmonella poses a serious health risk not only to the pets consuming the treats but also to the humans handling them.

Elite Treats Recall: Quick Summary

Elite Treats, LLC, based in Boca Raton, Florida, has issued a recall for one specific lot of its 6-ounce “Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs.” The affected bags were distributed through Florida Hardware, LLC to various feed stores across five Southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. While no illnesses in pets or humans have been reported to date, consumers are urged to securely dispose of the recalled treats and thoroughly sanitize any surfaces or containers they touched.

What Happened?

According to the FDA alert, Elite Treats initiated the recall following routine internal safety protocols. The company stated that “the contamination was noted after testing performed by a third-party laboratory identified contamination in a related yet commercially unreleased lot of the same product.” Out of an abundance of caution, the company decided to pull Lot 24045 from the market.

The FDA emphasized the dual risk of this recall:

“People can become exposed to this pathogen through multiple routes such as handling the contaminated products, contact with pets who have eaten the recalled product and/or contact with surfaces that have touched contaminated food, such as bowls, utensils, or countertops.”

Affected Products

The recall applies to the following specific product distributed via Florida Hardware, LLC to feed stores in AL, FL, GA, NC, and SC:

Brand	Product	Size	Lot Number	Expiration Date	Issue
Elite Treats	Chicken Chips for Dogs	6 oz. bag	24045	04/2027	Salmonella

Note: The product is packaged in a black and gold bag. The lot number and expiration date are stamped on the back side of the packaging.

What Caused the Issue?

Salmonella is a resilient bacterium frequently associated with raw or minimally processed poultry products. While the exact point of contamination was not disclosed, if poultry treats are not dehydrated or cooked at a temperature high enough and held for long enough to achieve a validated pathogen “kill-step,” the bacteria can survive the manufacturing process.

Risks to Pets and Humans

For Pets:

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and experience diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and vomiting. Crucially, the FDA notes that pets can be infected without showing any symptoms. These asymptomatic carriers can transfer the bacteria through their feces and saliva into the home environment, posing a silent threat to their owners.

For Humans:

Human exposure occurs by touching the treats or the infected pet and then touching the mouth. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever.

Questions You Might Have

1. Is this a raw diet product? While they are “chicken chips,” they are marketed as a dehydrated or processed treat, not a raw meal. However, dehydrated poultry still carries high pathogen risks if not processed correctly.
2. Has anyone or any dog gotten sick? No. As of February 24, 2026, there have been no reported illnesses linked to this lot.
3. What does the bag look like? It is a 6-ounce black and gold bag.
4. I live in Texas, could my feed store have it? The distribution was limited to AL, FL, GA, NC, and SC through Florida Hardware, LLC.
5. How did they find out if no one got sick? A third-party lab found Salmonella in a related batch before it was released to the public, prompting the company to recall this batch as a precaution.
6. Can I just bake the treats to kill the bacteria? No. The FDA strictly advises against attempting to salvage recalled pet food.
7. What if my dog ate it and seems fine? Monitor your dog closely. Remember that dogs can be asymptomatic carriers, so practice strict hygiene when handling their bowls and waste.
8. How do I get my money back? Consumers can contact the company directly for a refund or a replacement product.
9. What if I transferred the treats to a plastic container and threw away the bag? If you purchased the treats recently in one of the affected states and cannot verify the lot number, it is safest to dispose of them and thoroughly wash the container.

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check the Bag: Look for the 6-ounce black and gold bags of Elite Treats Chicken Chips.
• Verify the Lot: Check the back of the bag for Lot 24045 and an expiration of 04/2027.
• Dispose Securely: Do not sell, donate, or feed the product. Throw it away in a sealed trash receptacle so that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access it.
• Sanitize: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wash and sanitize all pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers that may have come into contact with the treats.
• Contact the Brand: Consumers can contact Elite Treats for a refund or replacement at 561-901-5310 or via email at [email protected] (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST).

Behind the Brand

Elite Treats, LLC, operating out of Boca Raton, Florida, manufactures treats that appeal to the “all-natural” pet food market. Products derived from single-source proteins like chicken are highly popular but require rigorous food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) oversight. The company’s use of a third-party laboratory for product testing demonstrates a functional environmental monitoring and testing program, which successfully caught this issue before widespread consumer exposure occurred.

Other Relevant Recalls

This alert adds to a recent spike in bacterial contamination recalls in the pet food sector. Earlier this month, Go Raw LLC recalled its Quest Cat Food due to severe thiamine deficiencies. More closely related to this incident, Viva Raw issued a massive recall for dog and cat food found to be contaminated with both Salmonella and Listeria.

In the human food supply chain, Salmonella continues to pose challenges. Ambrosia Brands recently recalled Rosabella Moringa Capsules after a multi-national, antibiotic-resistant Salmonella outbreak.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, noted:

“Pet treats are handled directly by consumers, often without the hand-washing protocols used when handling raw meat in the kitchen. When a manufacturer produces a dried meat treat, ensuring a validated microbial kill-step is the single most critical line of defense for both the pet and the pet parent.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Pet owners should treat all pet food and treats—especially those made from meat or poultry—with the same hygiene standards used in human food preparation. Always wash hands after feeding your pet, and regularly sanitize their bowls and feeding areas.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, ensuring that when recalls happen, supply chains are prepared to respond quickly.

For more information, to inquire about food safety solutions, or to report a concern, please visit our contact page at https://source86.com/contact/.