Petfood Industry - June 2014 - 40
40 www.petfoodindustry.com Petfood Insights David A. Dzanis, DVM, PhD, DACVN Read Get more moreFind Findmore morecolumns columnsbybyDr. Dr.Dzanis Dzanisatat www.petfoodindustry.com/petfoodinsights.aspx FDA's war on Salmonella: Beyond petfoods AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED (Petfood Industry, July 2013: "FDA to investigate Salmonella in petfood," www.petfoodindustry. com/48575.html), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed strict provisions to control Salmonella in petfoods. Briefly, under its policy, detection of Salmonella in a sample of finished petfood, regardless of Regulating other serotype (i.e., whether pathogenic to the intended species or pet products and the not), serves to adulterate the animals themselves petfood and renders it subject to enforcement action. While the to ensure consumer pets themselves can also suffer safety from Salmonellosis, the primary reason for this stringent policy is because of public (i.e., human) health considerations. Regardless, the noteworthy number of recalls of petfoods over the past few years speaks to the seriousness to which FDA views this matter. As further evidence of FDA's commitment to the fight against this microorganism and its potential for exposure to people, it also regulates other potential sources of Salmonella in pet products as well as the pets themselves. For more information Salmonella, feeder rodents and pet reptiles and amphibians: Tips you should know to prevent infection www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ animalhealthliteracy/ucm344319.htm A FEW YEARS back (Petfood Industry, August 2005), I noted that notwithstanding the fact that turtles are not foods, drugs, cosmetics or medical devices (hence not normally subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act), turtles still fall under FDA authority by virtue of the Public Health Service Act. As such, regulations have been in place since 1975 to ban the sale of all turtles and tortoises (except marine species) with a carapace less than four inches in length. The prevailing reason for this rule? Again, it's not for the animals' direct benefit, but rather to help curtail the incidence of Salmonellosis in humans. It's not that the smaller-sized turtles are necessarily more prone to harboring or shedding the Salmonella microorganism, but they are the ones more likely to be purchased as pets and handled by small children. However, turtles are not the only species with which FDA has concern. In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control, FDA has a number of educational items (directed to both adults and children) on its website regarding the risk for Salmonellosis stemming from a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including iguanas, snakes and frogs. The documents provide guidance on the safe handling of these animals, appropriate environmental sanitation measures and other commonsense precautions to help prevent infections in people. My favorite piece of advice is not to kiss frogs (you won't get your Prince Charming, anyway!). At this time, I am not aware of any plans to amend the regulations to include a ban on species other than small turtles. I am happy about one recent amendment to the regula- Dr. Dzanis is CEO of Regulatory Discretion Inc. and a writer and consultant on nutrition, labeling and regulation. June 2014 PetfoodIndustry
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