25 February 2026: Good hygiene when handling raw pet food emphasized in FSA survey
Updated 26 February 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Situation
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a survey on microbiological contamination of raw pet food sold in the UK. The survey detected pathogenic bacteria in 35% of the raw pet food samples.
Details
Between March 2023 and February 2024, raw pet food samples were obtained from retail stores and online purchases: 277 raw dog food samples and 103 raw cat food samples. Salmonella was detected in 21% of the samples, Campylobacter in 14% and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in 12%.
Some of the samples contained more than one pathogen. Some bacteria also contained antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including colistin resistant E. coli (1% of samples), penicillin and cephalosporin resistant E. coli (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and/or AmpC Beta-lactamase producing E. coli) (20% samples), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (<10% of samples).
Action
FSA is advising pet owners to safely store, defrost and handle raw pet food to prevent cross-contamination. People and pets with developing or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, making consistent good hygiene very important.
Guidance on safe handling and storage of raw pet food at home is available to facilitate conversations with pet owners about feeding practices.
Further information
- A Survey of Microbiological and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Contamination Found in Raw Dog and Cat Food on Retail Sale in the UK - Published in FSA Research and Evidence
- An assessment of the risk of companion animals acquiring Salmonella, Escherichia coli spp., Campylobacter spp. and MRSA from contaminated raw pet food, and associated risks to pet owners from the use of these product in the home - Food Standards Agency
- Salmonella species infections in dogs: building the epidemiological picture
Message sent from the Small Animal Expert Group SAEG@apha.gov.uk