In This Issue
Pet industry hits back at raw food fears
Best Place to Work award for pet firm
Pet care firms listed in Top 100 Megabrands
Pet food firm nominated for major franchising awards
OATA supports freshwater fish conservation programme
Vet tech business gets funding for international expansion
Greatest dog show in the world starts today
Thirteen hours of Crufts on TV
Billy + Margot showcases new dog food range at Crufts
The world’s greatest dogs deserve real food
Naturediet to showcase extended Eco-Friendly dog food
50 years of expertise and innovation for EUKANUBA
Paul O’Grady's dog food range on show at Crufts
WHIMZEES helps dogs gain champion clean teeth
Orvis celebrates partnership with Nineteen 87
Benyfit Natural announces exciting guestlist for Crufts
Get your own copy of Pet Trade Xtra
Pet shop owner prosecuted by RSPCA
PIF restructures event portfolio to include new dog grooming contest
School pupils create plastic-free pet products
New floating shape toys from Mighty Mutts brand
Bestpets ‘takes two’ at the Bestway Performance Awards
Skinner’s sponsor Suffolk Dog Day’s first Woofers Winter Walk
New and improved FURminator premium grooming range
Tetra launches Pond FilterStart Bacteria to restore biological balance
Let's use Brexit to ban cruel animal exports, says MEP John Flack
Nine in 10 Brits shop on Amazon, says Mintel
Still time to book for international trade event
The best of the previous Pet Trade Xtra
Leading pet food firm buys rival company
Pet shop owner left 'heartbroken after break-in
Roger Mugford stepping down as CEO of Company of Animals
Change dogs' llves. Stock real food!
CONTACT US NOW
Find out how Pet Trade Xtra can help to promote your business and products.

If you have a story for Pet Trade Xtra contact neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk for all editorial matters.



Email ben.greenwood@tgcmc.co.uk to discuss advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
Pet industry hits back at raw food fears

 

Pet food manufacturers have hit back at claims that feeding raw food poses a danger to both humans and animals, and reassured owners that it’s safe to use as long as sensible hygiene measures are taken.

 

According to a study published in Vet Record, high levels of potentially harmful bacteria have been found in raw food products.

 

Children, the elderly and those with poor immune systems are most at risk from exposure and could be susceptible to infection, the authors said.

 

But the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has responded to the findings of the Vet Record study.

 

It stated: “The PFMA is aware of the recent paper published in Vet Record on a Swedish study that tested 60 products from various European countries for bacterial contamination, including a single UK manufacturer. As this has been covered in the national media, PFMA would like to provide some reassurance and guidance to owners who choose to feed a raw meat diet.

 

“While it carries no greater risk than handling fresh raw meat intended for humans, pet owners must be dedicated to good hygiene practices in the home and maintain high standards of hygiene to prevent contamination. 

 

‘The researchers highlight the importance of careful storage, handling and good hygiene practices when feeding a raw meat diet. This is vital; the risk of food-borne illness must be a serious consideration for any person choosing to handle and feed any raw product in the home. 

 

‘PFMA and its members take education seriously and we provide some guidance for owners on best practice hygiene, handling and storage of raw meat products. Indeed this is best practice for handling all pet food products.”

 

The PFMA provides guidance to pet owners in a factsheet available on it website at https://www.pfma.org.uk/raw-feeding-factsheet  

 

The PFMA statement continued: “Whilst homemade diets provide more flexibility for pets with very specific nutritional needs, they are challenging and require significant research and expert guidance to undertake with any success.

 

“A fundamental concern, as with any homemade diet, is whether all the right nutrients are provided in the right proportions for healthy bodily function. An additional concern is ensuring ingredients from a safe and reliable source. 

 

“PFMA’s advice to owners feeding a raw pet food is to use a registered raw food manufacturer who is professionally making raw pet food meals with appropriate microbiological controls. As with all commercially prepared pet foods, commercially prepared raw foods are subject to stringent legislation. “Commercial raw producers within PFMA membership will also manufacture their diets in line with best practice guidelines.”

 

The PFMA has within membership 11 commercial raw pet food companies with a dedicated sector group. 

 

Last year PFMA launched the best practice guideline on the Manufacture of Raw Pet Food, which has been developed in conjunction with Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Public Health England (PHE) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). 

 

The Swedish researchers examined samples from 60 packs of raw meat products in 2017, made by 10 manufacturers in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany and England.

 

All samples contained enterobacteriaceae species, which could pose a risk to health, and more than half (52%) had levels that exceeded the European Union maximum threshold.

 

Most of the species identified were not known to cause infection, apart from E coli, which was found in around a third of samples.

 

It is not clear if the E coli identified by the study could have caused illness.

 

Meanwhile, salmonella species were found in 7% of the samples.

 

The researchers warned the bacteria could transfer through contact between pet and owner, or easily spread onto surfaces and other food in kitchens.

 

"Dogs in families with infants, elderly people or immuno-compromised individuals should also not be fed raw meat-based diets, as these groups are more susceptible to infections,” warned the researchers.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn