( CNN ) -- PetSmart is recalling seven of its Grreat Choice dog biscuit products because they contain peanut products made by a company that has been linked to a salmonella outbreak in 43 states and Canada , the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday . Peanut butter and peanut paste processed in a Georgia plant have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella . Dr. Stephen Sundlof , a veterinarian who is the director of the FDA 's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition , said that the risk to animals is minimal but that people who handle contaminated treats could come in contact with the salmonella bacteria . `` It 's especially important that children wash their hands after feeding treats to pets '' because the bacteria could be on the surface , Sundlof said . Sundlof said dogs are n't immune to salmonella and in some cases could get sick . They may be lethargic or get bloody diarrhea . On the other hand , they may never show symptoms at all but could still carry the bacteria . The outbreak of salmonella typhimurium has sickened at least 486 people , killing six , and has been linked to products manufactured by the Peanut Corp. of America in its Blakely , Georgia , plant . Watch the latest on the salmonella outbreak » . PetSmart said it `` is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products '' but has removed the products from the shelves as a precautionary measure . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say that of the nearly 500 people sickened , 107 have been hospitalized . The most recent death was recorded Saturday . The first illnesses were reported September 8 , and the most recent illness was reported January 8 . The CDC still considers it an ongoing outbreak . The CDC does not consider salmonella typhimurium any more virulent than any other strain . The strain `` is not more or less than we would expect in a normal outbreak , '' said Dr. Robert Tauxe , deputy director of the CDC Division of Foodborne , Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases . The FDA had reported that some of the samples from the Georgia plant tested positive for salmonella . On Wednesday , it said one sample was found in a crack of a floorboard near a bathroom and another was found on the floor near pallets in another room . Neither sample tested positive for the specific strain found in the sickened people , however . Sundlof said the lack of a match makes no difference from a regulatory point of view . `` Those salmonella are not supposed to be there . Having salmonella in the plant is not supposed to happen , regardless if it 's the same strain or not , '' he said . Peanut butter produced by Peanut Corp. in Georgia is not sold in individual jars in grocery stores , health officials say . However , it is sold to institutions such as nursing homes , schools and cafeterias . Peanut Corp. also produces peanut paste , which is commonly used in cookies , crackers , cake , ice cream and other products , including the Grreat Choice dog biscuits . Peanut Corp. released a statement Wednesday stating that the company is cooperating with federal and state officials and that it `` will address the agency 's findings when they are shared with us . '' `` To date , we have nothing in writing from the agency that documents its findings that result from its ongoing investigation and testing onsite at our facility . We trust that at some point they will share this with us , and PCA will respond accordingly . '' Minnesota health officials were the first to link the specific strain of salmonella that made three people ill in one nursing home to an open 5-pound container of peanut butter . Then Connecticut health officials found the same strain in an unopened tub of Peanut Corp.-produced peanut butter . After interviewing 57 sick people and 399 healthy people , CDC officials found `` an association of illness and prepackaged peanut butter crackers in general . '' These people had consumed specific brands of products , particularly the Austin and Keebler brands , which are manufactured by the Kellogg Co. and have been recalled . CDC officials recommend that consumers who are uncertain about a product throw out all recalled products . They also suggest avoiding any other products they think could contain ingredients manufactured by Peanut Corp. until they are certain they are n't being recalled . About 125 products have been recalled . The FDA maintains a regularly updated list at its Web site . The Consumers Union , publisher of Consumer Reports , issued a news release calling for `` President Obama to appoint a new FDA commissioner as soon as possible to address peanut butter contamination and a growing list of other food safety problems . ''
PetSmart is recalling seven of its Grreat Choice Dog Biscuit products . Risk to animals is minimal , but it could affect people who handle treats . Outbreak of salmonella has sickened at least 486 people and killed six .