Pet Food Safe Handling and FDA Regulation
Many people don’t realize that the basic principles of food safety apply to their pets’ foods too. For example, pet food or treats contaminated with salmonella can cause infections in dogs and cats. And contaminated pet food that is not handled properly can cause serious illness in people too, especially children.
If you’re a pet owner, one of the most important things you can do to keep your pets, your family, and yourself safe from foodborne illness is to wash your hands:
- Before and after handling pet foods and treats, wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot running water and soap. (Tip: Sing “Happy Birthday” twice to time yourself.)
- After petting, touching, handling, or feeding your pet, and especially after contact with feces, wash your hands for 20 seconds.
- Wash hands before preparing your own food and before eating.
Because infants and children are especially susceptible to foodborne illness, keep them away from areas where you feed your pets. Never allow them to touch or eat pet food.
Safe Handling Tips for Pet Foods and Treats
Consumers can take steps to help prevent foodborne illness, including Salmonella-related illness, when handling pet foods and treats. These products, like many other types of foods, can be susceptible to harmful bacterial contamination.
Salmonella in pet foods and treats can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and in people too, especially children, older people, and those with compromised immune systems. Salmonella in pet foods and treats potentially can be transferred to people ingesting or handling the contaminated products.
FDA has stepped up its efforts to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet foods and treats. Pet owners and consumers can also help reduce the likelihood of infection from contaminated pet foods and treats by following safe handling instructions:
Buying
- Purchase products in good condition, without signs of damage to the packaging such as dents or tears.
Preparation
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after handling pet foods and treats.
- Wash pet food bowls, dishes, and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
- Do not use the pet's feeding bowl as a scooping utensil—use a clean, dedicated scoop or spoon.
- Dispose of old or spoiled pet food products in a safe manner, such as in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash receptacle.
Storage
- Refrigerate promptly or discard any unused, leftover wet pet food. Refrigerator at 40º F.
- Dry products should be stored in a cool, dry place—under 80º F.
- If possible, store dry pet food in its original bag inside a clean, dedicated plastic container with a lid, keeping the top of the bag folded closed.
- Keep pets away from food storage and preparation areas.
- Keep pets away from garbage and household trash.
Raw Food Diets
FDA does not believe raw meat foods for animals are consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks, particularly when these products are brought into the home or used to feed domestic pets; however, we understand that some people prefer to feed these types of diets to their pets.
FDA Regulation of Pet Food
The FDA regulates that can of cat food, bag of dog food, or box of dog treats or snacks in your pantry. The FDA’s regulation of pet food is similar to that for other animal feeds. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that pet foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms
There is no requirement that pet food products have pre-market approval by the FDA. However, FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry and grains are considered safe and do not require pre-market approval. Other substances such as sources of minerals, vitamins or other nutrients, flavorings and preservatives, or processing aids may be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use or must have approval as food additives .
Pet food labeling is regulated at two levels. The current FDA regulations require proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and a proper listing of all the ingredients in the product in order from most to least, based on weight. Recent legislation in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 requires FDA to establish by regulation – (1) ingredient standards and definitions with respect to pet food; (2) processing standards for pet food; and, (3) updated standards for the labeling of pet food that include nutritional and ingredient information. FDA is working on this legislative mandate. Many of these regulations are based on a model provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). .
FDA also reviews specific claims on pet food, such as “maintains health of urinary tract,” “low magnesium,” “reduces plaque and tartar,” “reduces hairballs in cats,” and “improved digestibility.”
CVM DOES NOT recommend one product over another or offer guidance on individual pet health issues that are normally provided by the pet’s veterinarian. Questions regarding your pets' health and/or the specific use of any veterinary drug, pet food, or other product should always be referred to your veterinarian.
Check Out These Other Health and Wellness Websites
Medications
Weight Control
Nutrition
Cosmetics
Medical Devices
Diabetic Supplies
Cosmetic Surgery
LASIK Vision
Arthritis
Hair Restoration
FDA Compliance
Clinical Trials
Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy
Imaging & Radiology
Biologics & Blood
Mesothelioma
Pet Care
Free Debt Consultation — Deal Debt A Fatal Blow Today!
Call Now! 1800 DEBT.COM (that's 1800 332-8266) or Click Here
|
