Hey,

Happy Wednesday!

Last year, I wrote to you about Salmonella and how recently it seemed to be the cause of pretty much every other dog food recall. 

Well, figures have emerged that proves it wasn’t just an impression, it was fact.

According to the FDA, potential Salmonella contamination was the reason for 44% of all dog food recalls between 2017 and 2023 — 56 of 126 class I and II recalls over the period.

The data was shared by Jennifer Dorick, Ph.D., corporate product safety manager for Darling Ingredients, and reported by Petfood Industry magazine.

On the face of it, it sounds bad, right? Like there’s a major issue with Salmonella in dog food. But let’s not panic. 

First of all, there may be reasons for the increase, such as the FDA's greater focus on and stricter approach to Salmonella in recent years (something suggested by the magazine). 

And while it's true that Salmonella causes hundreds of human deaths each year in the U.S., it's far less harmful to dogs. 

So how worried should we be about dog food and Salmonella? 

Facts are great and often put us at ease, while a lack of them can cause concern and anger. So we put together this fact-filled article: 

The Truth About Salmonella and Dog Food

It answers common questions and discusses key topics, such as…

• How worried should I be about Salmonella in dog food?
• How does Salmonella affect dogs?
• How do I know if my dog has Salmonella?
• The causes of Salmonella in dogs
• Does raw feeding cause Salmonella?
• Salmonella is more dangerous for you than your dog
• How do dogs spread Salmonella?
• What to do if your dog food has been recalled
• Should I avoid a dog food brand that’s been recalled for Salmonella?
• How to treat a dog with Salmonella

I hope this information helps. I won't tell you how to react to it, but I'd suggest you shouldn't panic and nor should you be dismissive. There's a sensible and comfortable level of caution somewhere between those two. 

You can also read more about the news story and the FDA data here: 

Salmonella Behind 44% of Recent Dog Food Recalls

Here’s wishing you a wonderful week.

Until next time,

Andrew

Editor
The Dog Food Advisor
Saving Good Dogs From Bad Dog Food

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