Pet food safety is an all-encompassing proposition, covering everything from raw materials to equipment to packaging and even to the customer’s doorstep and beyond. As a result, anything from testing to technology is fair game when it comes to advancements in keeping the end consumer — pets — safe.
“The hazards most likely to occur in the manufacturing of pet foods fall into three broad categories — biological hazards, chemical hazards and physical hazards,” said Dr. John Hanlin, vice president of food safety research, development and engineering at Ecolab, a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. “In 2021 and 2022, there were recalls of pet food linked to all three categories. The primary biological hazard associated with recalls was Salmonella while the main chemical hazards linked to recalls were mycotoxin (produced by some molds) and elevated levels of vitamin D. Physical hazards can include glass and metal fragments.”
