Brutus & Barnaby Pig Ear Recall: What Happened in 2019 and What Changed
In 2019, Brutus & Barnaby issued a pig ear recall after Salmonella was detected. Here is what happened, how we responded, and the quality steps we strengthened afterward.
Brutus & Barnaby has always been dedicated to high-quality, tasty dog treats and chews. Dogs love our treats — and earning the trust of dog parents matters just as much.
In 2019, our pig ears were part of a recall connected to potential Salmonella risk. That moment was serious, and we treated it that way. We acted quickly, communicated openly, and used the experience to strengthen our quality and handling practices going forward.
This article explains what happened, what we learned, and the additional standards we put in place so dog parents can better understand the care behind our treats today.
Transparency note: the 2019 pig ear recall is part of our history. We believe dog parents deserve a clear explanation of what happened and what changed after it.
What Happened With the 2019 Pig Ear Recall?
Back before 2019, Brutus & Barnaby was a small family business with a strong commitment to dog treats, but we also had more to learn about scaling quality systems as we grew. During 2019, Salmonella concerns affected multiple pig ear products and suppliers across the pet treat industry.
When Salmonella was detected in connection with our pig ears, we issued a recall and worked through the process to address the concern. Our priority was to act quickly, protect customers and pets, and be transparent about what was happening.
2019 Recall
The recall was connected to potential Salmonella risk in pig ear products during a wider industry concern.
Stronger Standards
We strengthened our quality, handling, sourcing, storage, sorting, and testing practices after the recall.
Why We Chose to Be Open About It
We love dogs, and we know our customers do too. When a quality concern involves pet treats, hiding from it is not the right answer. We chose to be transparent because dog parents deserve to know what happened, how we responded, and what we did to improve.
The recall became a turning point for our business. It pushed us to review our processes more deeply and build stronger systems around food safety, supplier oversight, product handling, storage, and product review.
Our position: trust is earned through transparency, consistency, and continued improvement — not by pretending the past never happened.
What Changed After the Recall?
After the recall, we reviewed our operations and strengthened multiple parts of our quality process. These changes were designed to create more consistency, better oversight, and a stronger standard for the treats we handle.
Important: no natural treat company should claim risk is zero. Our goal is to use stronger practices, better oversight, and continued verification to reduce risk and protect quality.
How We Approach Pig Ear Quality Today
Today, our pig ears are handled with a stronger quality mindset shaped by that experience. We focus on single-ingredient treats, careful sourcing, better storage practices, review steps, and ongoing checks.
We also keep our products stored in controlled conditions and take quality verification seriously. For imported animal treat products, supplier verification and documentation matter, and we have strengthened our internal systems to better support those requirements.
Pig Ears for Dogs
A crunchy, satisfying chew option for dogs who love natural texture and supervised treat time.
- Single-ingredient chew
- Crunchy texture dogs love
- Great for supervised treat time
Why Supplier Verification Matters
Pig ears and other animal-based treats can come from different regions and suppliers, so documentation and supplier controls are important. After the recall, we took additional steps to strengthen how we monitor supplier quality and product handling.
For products imported into the United States, businesses must follow applicable food safety and supplier verification requirements. We take these responsibilities seriously and continue to review our processes as standards, expectations, and best practices evolve.
Documentation
Supplier documentation helps create more traceability and accountability in the process.
Verification
Verification steps help confirm standards are being followed before treats reach customers.
What Dog Parents Should Know About Natural Chews
Natural chews can be a great part of your dog’s routine, but they still need to be given responsibly. Pig ears, cow ears, bully sticks, cheek rolls, and other chews should always be matched to your dog’s size, chewing style, dental health, and digestion.
Always supervise your dog during chew time, provide fresh water, wash your hands after handling animal-based treats, and store treats properly. Remove small pieces before your dog tries to swallow them, and introduce new treats gradually.
Why Customers Still Love Our Pig Ears
Since the recall, Brutus & Barnaby has continued to serve dog parents who want natural, satisfying chews made with simple ingredients. Pig ears remain a favorite because dogs love the crunch, smell, and chewing experience.
We are grateful for the many customers who continue to trust us, share feedback, and choose our treats for their dogs. That trust is something we work to earn through transparency, quality focus, and continued improvement.
Cow Ears for Dogs
A crunchy, rawhide-free chew option for dogs who enjoy natural texture and supervised chew time.
- Rawhide-free chew
- Crunchy texture dogs love
- Great for supervised enrichment
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway
The 2019 pig ear recall was a serious moment in Brutus & Barnaby’s history. We acted, learned, and strengthened our standards because dog parents deserve treats made with care, consistency, and transparency.
Today, we remain committed to natural dog treats and chews with simple ingredients, better quality practices, and responsible chew guidance. We are proud to serve dog families who want treats they can feel confident giving — while still understanding that every natural chew should be handled and supervised properly.
Try Our Natural Dog Chews
Explore single-ingredient favorites, rawhide-free chews, and natural treats made for supervised reward time.
Shop Natural Dog Treats