Dog treat recall leads to a nationwide alert for pet owners

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to dog owners about a potential danger to their pets due to a recall of treats that may be contaminated with “metal objects.”

A voluntary recall notice posted on the FDA website cautions dog owners that “3,551 bags of Green Tripe dog treats” produced by Virginia-based TDBBS LLC under the “Barkworthies” and “Best Bully Sticks” brands have been recalled due to the possible presence of foreign metal objects.

The treats, which were sold nationwide in retail stores and online from February 2024 to May 2024, could pose a health risk to dogs due to the potential presence of metal objects, although no incidents of pet injury or illness related to the affected product have been reported so far.

“If you believe your dog has consumed the affected product, you should monitor for any signs of illness [or] unusual behavior and contact a veterinarian in the event of any concerns,” the announcement advises.

The recall specifically pertains to the following lots of treats:

• Barkworthies brand “Green Tripe” treats in 7-ounce packages with UPC code “816807015686,” item number “2015686,” lot codes “WO151768” or “WO152373,” and “best by” dates in February and March 2026.
• Best Bully Sticks brand “Green Tripe” treats in a 2-pound bag with UPC code “816807016027,” item number “1016027,” lot codes “WO152669,” “WO153321,” or “WO152107,” and “best by” dates from March to August 2026.
• Best Bully Sticks brand “Green Tripe” treats in a 5-pound bag with UPC code “816807016010,” item number “1016010,” lot codes “WO151401,” “WO152319,” or “WO153179,” and “best by” dates from January to April 2026.

Customers who purchased these products are advised to stop feeding the treats to their pets immediately and discard them. TDBBS LLC is collaborating with distributors and retailers to ensure the affected products are no longer available for sale and have been removed from inventory.

Affected customers can return the recalled treats and inquire about any concerns by contacting TDBBS LLC at 877-483-5853 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time) or emailing Support@BestBullySticks.com.

The exact nature and origin of the “foreign metal objects” found in the treats remain unclear at this time.

Newsweek reached out to TDBBS LLC for comments on the matter.

A review of FDA records by Newsweek in May revealed an increase in pet food product recalls, with some related to potential contamination with pathogens or hazardous substances, while others were due to suspected foreign metal objects in the products.

Last month, over 300 bags of “Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food” sold in four states were recalled after being found to contain metal fragments.