Well, it looks like Salmonella doesn’t care if you’re human or animal. This past November 22nd, Gaines Pet Treats LLC recalled 204 5-ounce bags of “Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips” treat due to a possible Salmonella contamination. What should you do if you have the product? According to the FDA, you should stop using it ASAP and contact Gaines for a full refund or replacement. Wanna know more? Keep reading!
What happened?
On November 22nd, Gaines Pet Treats LLC issued a voluntary recall for Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips after discovering that a specific lot of the product might be contaminated with Salmonella. Yikes. The potential for infection was uncovered after third-party testing of a related, unreleased batch flagged the issue. The recalled products were distributed through online retailers and into several small independent pet retailers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Brand | Product | Size | Lot Number | Best by Date | Issue |
Gaines Pet Treats | Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips | 5 ounces | 20061124 | 12/11/25 | Potential Salmonella contamination |
What caused the issue?
You might be wondering, “How did this happen?” Well, let’s blame the sneaky bacteria that just loves to hang out where it shouldn’t: Salmonella. It’s a bacteria that can cause serious health problems for both pets and humans.
Health Risks:
- Humans: If you handle the product without thoroughly washing your hands, you risk symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
- Pets: Dogs eating contaminated treats might experience lethargy, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Even if your dog isn’t showing symptoms, it could still be a carrier and pass the bacteria on to humans or other animals.
No illnesses have been reported from this particular recall yet, but the potential risk is serious enough for the company to act quickly and issue a recall.
Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Here’s what you should know
If you have purchased this product, take action. Here’s how:
- Check the label:
Lot number: 20061124
Best by date: 12/11/25 - Identify the product:
Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips - What to do with the product:
Consumers who have purchased 5-ounce bags of “Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips” stamped with lot 20061124, should stop using them and can contact the company for a full refund or replacement. - Contact info:
Contact Gaines at [email protected]
Behind the brand
Gaines Pet Treats LLC is a small company based in Birmingham, Alabama, known for making natural, farm-to-table style dog treats. For over three generations, the Gaines family has been a dog family. They’ve raised purebreds of all kinds including Weimaraners, Samoyeds, Irish setters, miniature chihuahuas, border collies, and poodles (just to name a few). They’ve also opened their doors and hearts to rescue dogs, giving them their forever home.
Ensuring safe eats!
It’s crucial for pet food brands to ensure their products are safe and free from contamination, especially when the risks are this high. Salmonella isn’t something you want in your dog’s diet (or anywhere near your dinner table). To avoid future issues, companies need to implement more stringent testing and safety measures. For consumers, it’s a reminder that checking labels is always a good idea—and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re concerned about the safety of any product.
