Evaluating the presence of human pathogens in commercially frozen, biologically appropriate raw pet food sold in Italy
| Autor: | Sergio Ghidini, Elena Bancalari, Monica Gatti, Benedetta Bottari, Annalisa Barera |
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| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
040301 veterinary sciences
media_common.quotation_subject Raw feeding Sample (material) Human pathogen Biology Escherichia coli O157 medicine.disease_cause 0403 veterinary science Pet food Listeria monocytogenes Raw Foods Salmonella Hygiene medicine Animals Humans Food science media_common General Veterinary Commerce 0402 animal and dairy science Campylobacter Pets 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences General Medicine Microbiological quality 040201 dairy & animal science Diet Italy Food Microbiology Total bacterial count Frozen Foods |
| Zdroj: | Veterinary Record. 187 |
| ISSN: | 2042-7670 0042-4900 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/vr.105893 |
| Popis: | Background Biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet is becoming more and more popular among pet owners in Europe. However, there are documented microbiological risks associated with raw feeding, and this study aimed to determine the presence of human pathogens in commercially frozen BARF products sold in Italy. Methods Salmonella species, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter species were identified. The general microbiological quality of BARF products and hygiene were also evaluated. Sample size was limited and therefore the study may not be representative of a larger sample. Results None of the tested samples showed total bacterial count (TBC) higher than the limit set to consider a sample unacceptable. However, 14 out of 21 samples showed TBC higher than the limit set to consider a sample marginally acceptable. A high percentage of samples were contaminated by the aforementioned pathogens, highlighting the need for pet owners to be aware of the risks of this feeding strategy both to themselves and to their pets. Conclusions Considering that BARF diet meals can be prepared at home using the hands, as well as tools and spaces that could be shared, guidelines on safer handling of these pet food products should be recommended by veterinarians and nutritionists. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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