We are asked regularly about bacterial risk when feeding raw food. It's a VERY common concern that vets will bring up when you take your pet in and mention that you raw feed. We completely understand the concern but the answer is the majority of raw companies use some sort of bacteria mitigation process. We're excited to outline information on these processes below!
Bacteria mitigation is a broad term that refers to the processes used to remove or reduce harmful bacteria in various products. In the case of raw pet food, many brands incorporate specific methods during their production to ensure safety. This can include a range of approaches, such as preventing the spread of bacteria, implementing strict hygiene practices, and using techniques aimed at eliminating bacteria. Understanding these processes is crucial for pet owners who want to ensure the health and safety of their furry companions.
One of the most common practices in pet food is high pressure processing, commonly known as HPP. This innovative non-thermal preservation method effectively eliminates harmful pathogens found in raw pet food while maintaining its nutritional value and taste. HPP utilizes extreme pressure, reaching up to 87,000 psi, to inactivate bacteria and other microorganisms that can pose risks to pet health. With HPP, you’ll usually see more of a grey outer layer. Some dogs have a hard time transitioning to HPP food due to the difference in smell and appearance. The advantages of HPP include minimal processing, enhanced preservation of the food, and the removal of harmful bacteria, ensuring that pets receive safe and nutritious meals. Some well-known brands that utilize this method are Steve’s, Northwest Naturals, and Primal.
Another fairly common practice in the raw pet food industry is the use of bacteriophages. These naturally occurring viruses are added to target and reduce or eliminate the presence of disease-causing bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, while preserving the integrity of our pets' raw food. This process ensures that the healthy bacteria in the foods remain intact, supporting your pet’s microflora and gut health. Ultimately, it provides all the beneficial raw nutrients without the risk of harmful bacteria, making it a safe choice for your furry companions. Some of our brands that utilize this method are Albright’s and Oma’s Pride.
Pure Citric acid is another process being used for raw pet food and is also common in the use of many human food products for preservation and bacteria. The addition of this organic acid helps prevent spoilage and slows bacterial growth. It is also effective at inactivating common bacteria such as salmonella, ecoli, etc. Midwest Legacy is one of our brands that utilizes this method.
Ozonation is yet another effective way to mitigate your bacterial risks. This is a method that is commonly found being used in hospitals as well as food grade methods to sanitize equipment and food itself. It's effective with fruit and meats and commonly used in this manner. This method uses Oxidation to break down the membrane of the cell wall of the bad bacteria and compromises the ability for the bacteria to survive. It's known to be effective in killing/inactivating all common bad bacterias. K-9 Kraving is a popular brand that we carry that uses this method.
Blast Freezing is our final method that we find used quite frequently in the frozen food industry. This method is generally used in conjunction with one of the other methods listed above. Blast Freezing is a process where the finished product is placed inside of a freezer set at -30 or colder and left for 12-24 hours. This method significantly slows or stops the growth of bacteria to help prevent it from populating. The bacteria can, however, continue to populate once the food is thawed so storing properly is vital. This reason is also why most brands will use another kill step plus blast freezing.
There are a lot of options for a brand to think about before proceeding with one final option. Some pets might have a trickier time transitioning to certain brands that use different practices. At Raw Rations, we carry brands that use all of the methods listed above and some that do not use any process. If you need help finding the best option for you and your pets, feel free to ask for assistance so we can guide you and your pets in the right direction.
