FDA Campaign Could Cause Increased Recall Management for Pet Product Industry

By Mike Rozembajgier

After seeing evidence that contaminated pet food may be causing illness among pet owners, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it is increasing its efforts to test pet foods for Salmonella. And as the FDA continues to increase its oversight of the pet food industry, pet food retailers and distributors should be aware of how safety concerns facing the industry could directly impact their products. A top priority for the industry at this time is to ensure that effective recall management plans are in place in case it becomes necessary to recall a product.

Because regulators are now concerned that humans who handle contaminated pet food and treats may come down with Salmonella, the FDA plans to conduct a nationwide assessment of pet-related products by collecting and analyzing samples of pet foods, treats, and supplements. In a memorandum published late last month, the FDA explained that it “is particularly concerned about salmonella being transmitted to humans through pet foods, pet treats, and supplements for pets that are intended to be fed to animals in homes, where they are likely to be directly handled or ingested by humans.”

Detailing the procedures of the investigation, a Wall Street Journal article explained that “FDA investigators started taking samples in October of dry pet food, pet treats and diet supplements from distributors, wholesalers and retailers such as PetSmart, PetCo, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam’s Club and Target.”

With approximately $8 billion worth of dry dog food and $3.7 billion in dry cat food sold in the U.S. last year, manufacturers and retailers should be prepared for the comprehensive campaign the FDA will undoubtedly mount to address consumer concerns about their health, as well as that of their pets.

The FDA memorandum identifies four objectives of the pet food oversight campaign:

• Determine the prevalence of Salmonella in pet foods, pet treats, and supplements for pets;

• Determine the serotype, genetic fingerprint, and antimicrobial susceptibilities of each Salmonella strain found in test samples;

• Ensure Salmonella-contaminated pet foods, pet treats, and supplements for pets are removed from interstate commerce; and,

• Collect investigational samples for research purposes and for providing surveillance information on microbes other than Salmonella in pet foods, pet treats, and supplements for pets.

Now that the FDA has made it clear that it will be stepping up its oversight of the pet food industry, pet food suppliers and distributors would be wise to review their internal procedures and supply chains in order to ensure compliance with the highest safety standards and that they are ready to manage a recall, if that should become necessary.

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