FSA Warns Pet Owners About Dangerous Bacteria in Raw Pet Food
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a stark warning to pet owners and pet food businesses after uncovering concerning levels of contamination in raw pet food products across the UK. Following extensive testing of hundreds of raw dog and cat food items, the regulator found that a significant proportion contained harmful bacteria and failed to meet legal safety standards — raising serious concerns for both animal and human health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) just dropped a serious warning for pet owners and pet food businesses after finding worrying levels of contamination in raw pet food across the UK. After checking hundreds of products, they found a lot of raw dog and cat food packed with harmful bacteria and falling short of legal safety rules—raising red flags for both pets and people.
Here’s what happened. The FSA and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) tested 380 raw pet food products from shops and online sellers between March 2023 and February 2024.
The numbers were pretty alarming. About 35% of the products had dangerous bugs like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. On top of that, 29% didn’t even meet the UK’s basic safety standards.
Raw pet food usually means uncooked meat, offal, and bone—no heat treatment. That’s a big difference from regular pet food, which gets cooked to kill off most germs. So, bacteria can easily survive in raw products right up until you buy them. The FSA says this survey really shows the higher risks that come with raw pet food, and why good hygiene matters at every step—from making it to selling it, and even how you handle it at home.
One more thing: the FSA pointed out that labels aren’t always clear. Some dried treats and chews might sneak in raw meat ingredients, so people could be touching risky products without even knowing it. If you’re not careful, those bacteria can spread around your kitchen or anywhere you prepare food.
Health officials are warning that contaminated raw pet food isn’t just a problem for pets. It can make people sick, too. You might get exposed by touching the food, coming in contact with kitchen surfaces, or even just being around a pet that’s eaten it. Pets don’t always look sick, but they can still spread bacteria to their owners.
What’s even more worrying is that some of these bacteria resist antibiotics. If these bugs get out, treating infections gets a lot harder.
The FSA says the risk is highest for young kids, pregnant women, older adults, and anyone with a weak immune system. They’re urging these groups to be extra careful—wash your hands thoroughly, disinfect anything the food touches, and keep raw pet food far from anything people eat.
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