How to Keep Your Pet Products Safe and Compliant

10 Oct How to Keep Your Pet Products Safe and Compliant

Posted at 03:51h in Blog by Bronte Boyadzhyan

The Hidden Risk Behind Dog Treats

Dog treats are one of the fastest-growing segments in the pet food market, with global demand soaring due to human-grade ingredients, natural formulations, and health claims. However, as the industry grows, so does the risk of microbial contamination — especially Salmonella.

Even trace levels of Salmonella can make pets sick, but the real danger extends beyond the animal. Cross-contamination during handling can also affect humans, leading to illness, lawsuits, and brand-damaging recalls.

This is why Salmonella testing for dog treats is not only recommended — it’s a critical requirement for FDA and AAFCO compliance.

At United Food Labs, we help pet food and treat brands meet safety standards through comprehensive Salmonella and microbial testing programs designed for both small businesses and large-scale manufacturers.

🧫 What Is Salmonella and Why It’s Dangerous in Dog Treats

Salmonella is a group of bacteria commonly found in animal intestines. It can survive on surfaces, in raw ingredients, and even in finished dog treats if proper processing steps (like heat or kill steps) are missed.

In pets, Salmonella can cause:

Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
Lethargy and loss of appetite
Severe infections in puppies or immune-compromised animals

In humans, exposure can happen simply by touching contaminated treats or surfaces. The CDC reports that dozens of people are infected each year due to contaminated pet foods and treats, often from handling rawhide chews, jerky, or dried meat snacks.

⚠️ Pet Food Recalls Linked to Salmonella Contamination

Salmonella contamination has led to numerous pet food recalls in recent years. These incidents not only put pets and owners at risk but also destroy consumer confidence and result in heavy financial losses.

Examples include:

Jerky and rawhide treat recalls due to Salmonella contamination
Raw pet food recalls linked to processing failures or improper kill steps
Biscuit and baked treat recalls caused by contaminated packaging or recontamination after baking

These recalls underscore the importance of routine microbial testing and validated kill steps during manufacturing.

🧪 Why Salmonella Testing Is Required for Dog Treats

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) requires all animal food, including dog treats, to be safe and produced under sanitary conditions. Salmonella testing is an integral part of compliance with:

FDA’s 21 CFR 507 (Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Animal Food)
AAFCO Guidelines for Pet Food Safety
FSMA Preventive Controls for Animal Food

For manufacturers, especially those selling through Amazon, Chewy, or retail stores, proof of pathogen testing (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, etc.) is often a requirement before listing products.

🧬 How Salmonella Testing Works

At United Food Labs, our Salmonella testing process is designed for accuracy, compliance, and quick turnaround times.

Step 1: Sample Collection

Dog treats are sampled aseptically and sent to the lab in sealed packaging to prevent contamination.

Step 2: Enrichment & Culture

Samples are enriched in selective media that promote the growth of Salmonella if present.

Step 3: Detection

Using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) or culture-based methods, our scientists detect and confirm Salmonella species.

Step 4: Reporting

Results are provided in a clear, regulatory-compliant format — suitable for FDA documentation, co-packer verification, or retailer submissions.

🧩 Types of Dog Treats Most at Risk for Salmonella

Certain treat types are more prone to contamination due to ingredient composition, moisture levels, or lack of heat treatment.

High-risk products include:

Rawhide chews and bones
Freeze-dried or dehydrated meat treats
Jerky products (chicken, beef, or fish)
Homemade or small-batch treats without validated kill steps
High-protein or high-moisture formulas

Even if ingredients are sourced from approved suppliers, cross-contamination can occur during mixing, drying, or packaging. Routine testing ensures early detection before products reach customers.

🧱 How to Prevent Salmonella Contamination

✅ 1. Implement Strict Sanitation Programs

Regular cleaning, environmental swabbing, and microbial monitoring help eliminate contamination sources.

✅ 2. Validate Your Kill Step

Heat treatments, pasteurization, or irradiation processes must be scientifically validated to destroy Salmonella.

✅ 3. Source Safe Ingredients

Work only with suppliers who provide certificates of analysis (COAs) for microbial testing.

✅ 4. Conduct Routine Testing

Perform batch testing for Salmonella and indicator organisms (APC, Enterobacteriaceae) to maintain quality control.

✅ 5. Verify Packaging Safety

Ensure packaging does not allow recontamination after heat treatment or sterilization.

📊 Salmonella Testing as Part of a Food Safety Plan

A strong Food Safety Plan (FSP) under FSMA should include:

Hazard analysis identifying Salmonella risks
Preventive controls for critical steps like dehydration and packaging
Verification activities such as microbial testing and environmental monitoring
Corrective actions in case of positive results

United Food Labs helps pet treat manufacturers design FSPs that meet FDA, AAFCO, and FSMA requirements — giving your business full confidence in every batch released.

🧾 How United Food Labs Supports Pet Treat Brands

We specialize in compliance-driven testing for pet food and treats, offering:

Salmonella and pathogen testing
Shelf life studies for pet treats
Guaranteed analysis reports (Protein, Fat, Fiber, Moisture) for AAFCO labels
Heavy metal testing (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium)
Pesticide residue and mycotoxin screening

With locations in California, Washington, North Carolina, and Connecticut, we serve brands across the U.S. with fast turnaround times and regulatory-compliant reports trusted by retailers and co-packers.

💬 Why Pet Treat Testing Protects Your Brand

Testing your dog treats for Salmonella isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it’s a brand protection strategy. A single recall can cost thousands in lost sales and damage years of hard-earned trust.

By partnering with United Food Labs, you’re ensuring:

Safer products for pets and owners
Compliance with FDA and AAFCO standards
Reduced risk of costly recalls
Better retailer and distributor relationships
Salmonella can contaminate dog treats during production, storage, or packaging.
Both pets and humans can become ill from exposure.
FDA and AAFCO require regular microbial testing for compliance.
Routine Salmonella testing helps prevent recalls and safeguard brand reputation.
United Food Labs provides fast, accurate, and compliant testing services for all pet products.

🧪 Work with United Food Labs

If you manufacture or sell dog treats, routine Salmonella testing is essential for safety, compliance, and consumer trust.

Contact United Food Labs today to schedule your Salmonella testing or pet treat compliance package:

🌐 Website: unitedfoodlabs.com
📞 Phone: 818-749-2751
📧 Email: info@unitedfoodlabs.com

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