FOOD SAFETY :Raw pet food blamed for human E. coli outbreak.

FOOD SAFETY :Raw pet food blamed for human E. coli outbreak. 

   Public health officials continue to investigate an E. coli outbreak linked to raw pet food sold under the Carnivora brand. Of four sick people identified so far, all had the same strain of E. coli O157 infection and all had been exposed to the raw pet food for dogs who had been fed it, according to an outbreak notice posted by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

 Riveriene Farm Ltd. operating as Carnivora Pet Foods of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, recalled six varieties of the Carnivora brand raw food. All were manufactured in Canada and widely distributed, possibly nationwide, according to a recall notice posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).


 “The individuals became sick between early March and mid-May 2020. Two individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 3 and 43 years of age,” the outbreak notice states.

 “The collaborative outbreak investigation was initiated because reports of E. coli O157 illnesses with similar genetic fingerprints were identified. All of the individuals who became sick reported exposure to Carnivora brand frozen raw pet food purchased at various pet stores before their illnesses occurred.”

 This outbreak serves as a reminder that raw pet food products contain raw meat and should be handled no differently than other raw meat products. 😓

                              TIPS ON FOOD SAFETY.

1) Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils and surfaces that the raw foods touched before using them again. This includes counter-tops, microwaves and refrigerators.

2) Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after feeding, handling or cleaning up after pets. Animals fed raw meat diets are more likely to be shedding harmful bacteria like Salmonella and dangerous strains of E. coli even when they appear healthy, compared to those fed commercial kibble or other cooked diets.

😓 3)Regularly clean surfaces that come into contact with pet food or pets. When possible, store all pet food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children.
                               Adopted from food safety news.