A routine laboratory test — not a wave of sick pets or worried owners — is what triggered a food safety recall now affecting dog treat buyers across five U.S. states. The FDA posted a recall notice on February 24, 2026, for a specific lot of Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs after the product was flagged for possible salmonella contamination. And while this might sound like a straightforward pet product issue, health officials are clear that the risk extends well beyond the animals eating the treats.
Salmonella in pet food is a human health concern too. Anyone who handles contaminated treats — filling a bowl, offering a snack by hand, storing the bag near other household items — can be exposed to the bacteria. It can spread to countertops, children’s hands, and other food surfaces without anyone realizing it.
If you have a dog and you’ve purchased chicken chip treats recently, this is worth a few minutes of your time right now.
What the FDA Recall Actually Covers
The recall is narrow in scope but important in detail. It applies to a single lot of Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs, sold in 6-ounce black and gold bags. The specific identifiers to check on your bag are:
- Lot number: 24045
- Expiration date: April 2027
- Bag size: 6 ounces
- Bag appearance: Black and gold packaging
According to the FDA notice, the treats were distributed through Florida Hardware, which then supplied them to feed stores across a five-state region in the Southeast. If you purchased dog treats from a feed store in any of the affected states, checking your bag against those lot details is the right first step.
Which States Are Affected by This Recall
| State | Distribution Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes |
| Florida | Yes |
| Georgia | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes |
The distribution chain ran from Elite Treats to Florida Hardware, then outward to feed stores in those five states. If you live outside this region, the confirmed distribution does not include your area — but checking the lot number on any bag of this product remains a reasonable precaution regardless.
How the Contamination Was Found — and Why That Matters
One of the most important parts of this story is how the recall came about. This was not triggered by reported illnesses in pets or people. Instead, a third-party laboratory detected salmonella in a related lot of the same product that had not yet been commercially released. That finding prompted Elite Treats to pull the already-distributed lot as a precautionary measure.
That kind of proactive response is exactly how the recall system is supposed to work. The company didn’t wait for sick animals or sick people to confirm the problem. The lab result was enough to act.
At the time the FDA alert was issued, no illnesses had been reported — in pets or in humans. That’s good news, but it doesn’t mean the risk should be dismissed. Salmonella infections can take days to show symptoms, and mild cases often go unreported or unconnected to a specific source.
The Risk to People, Not Just Pets
It’s easy to think of a pet food recall as something that only concerns the animal. But salmonella doesn’t stay in the bowl. The bacteria can transfer to human hands during feeding, linger on surfaces where the bag was stored, and spread through a home environment — particularly in households with young children, elderly individuals, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
Health officials consistently note that people who handle pet food and treats should wash their hands thoroughly afterward. With a product flagged for possible salmonella, that guidance becomes urgent rather than advisory.
Common symptoms of salmonella infection in humans include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. In pets, signs can include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Anyone — human or animal — showing these symptoms after potential exposure should consult a doctor or veterinarian.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you have a bag of Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs at home, here’s the practical checklist:
- Check the bag for lot number 24045 and an expiration date of April 2027.
- If the numbers match, stop feeding the treats to your pet immediately.
- Do not throw the bag away in a place where pets or wildlife could access it.
- Contact the retailer where you purchased the product about a refund or return.
- Wash your hands thoroughly if you have recently handled this product.
- Clean any surfaces — bowls, countertops, storage areas — that may have been in contact with the treats.
- Monitor your pet for any signs of illness and contact a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
The recall notice was posted by the FDA on February 24, 2026. If you purchased this product before that date and still have it at home, the guidance above applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which product is being recalled?
The recall covers Elite Treats Chicken Chips for Dogs, specifically 6-ounce black and gold bags with lot number 24045 and an expiration date of April 2027.
What states received the recalled product?
According to the FDA notice, the treats were distributed to feed stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina through Florida Hardware.
Has anyone gotten sick from this product?
No illnesses had been reported in pets or humans at the time the FDA recall alert was issued on February 24, 2026.
How was the contamination discovered?
A third-party laboratory found salmonella in a related lot of the same product that had not yet been sold commercially, which led Elite Treats to recall the already-distributed lot as a precaution.
Can humans get sick from contaminated pet treats?
Yes. Salmonella can transfer from pet food and treats to human hands and household surfaces, posing a real risk — particularly to children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
What should I do if my pet has already eaten some of the recalled treats?
Monitor your pet closely for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and contact a veterinarian if any signs of illness appear. This has not yet been confirmed as causing illness, but veterinary guidance is the safest course of action.
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