Raw pet food found contaminated FSA issues urgent safety warning

UK – The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a stark warning to pet owners and feed businesses after a nationwide survey revealed widespread contamination in raw pet food products, with 35% found to contain Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli—pathogens.

Between March 2023 and February 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) tested 380 raw dog and cat food products purchased from shops and online platforms. 

The study found that the products contained harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, which are known to cause severe gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, while 29% failed to meet UK legal safety standards.

Rick Mumford, Interim Chief Scientific Adviser at the FSA, stressed that while many owners prefer raw diets, the risks are clear.

“Good hygiene practices and safe handling can help reduce the risks to you and your family. Follow the same principles you would when preparing food for humans; wash hands thoroughly, clean surfaces, and store or defrost pet food separately from human food…” he said.

The testing was carried out under laboratory conditions that mirror human food safety standards, ensuring robust results.

Because raw pet food is not heat-treated, pathogens that would normally be destroyed during cooking can survive, increasing the risk of cross-contamination in homes.

Experts have voiced concern about the findings. Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for Gastrointestinal Infections at UKHSA, explained that contaminated pet food can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever in humans.

 “These bacteria can be passed to people through handling raw pet food, contaminated products or surfaces, or contact with pets who have eaten the food,” she warned. 

Stephen Wyllie of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) added that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat, noting that raw pet food can spread resistant bacteria between pets and potentially to humans.

Growing demand, growing risk

This is not the first time raw pet food has been flagged as a public health concern. Previous FSA reviews raised similar warnings, but the surge in popularity of raw diets has amplified the problem, making contamination risks harder to ignore.

Pets fed on these products may carry bacteria without showing symptoms, silently transmitting them to owners. For humans, exposure can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness, sometimes requiring hospitalisation, with children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems facing the greatest danger.

In response, the FSA has pledged to strengthen oversight, working with local authorities and businesses to enforce compliance.

Although UK regulations already require strict microbiological standards, the survey revealed gaps in enforcement and industry practices, prompting the agency to remind feed businesses of their responsibilities to ensure safe production and distribution.

The consequences of unchecked contamination could be severe. Public health data show that Salmonella infections alone cause around 10,000 human cases annually in the UK, and raw pet food is now recognised as a potential contributor. 

Despite these risks, consumer demand for raw diets continues to grow. The survey makes clear that without stronger regulation and vigilance, the risks could escalate, impacting pets, owners, and the wider community.

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