Feeding raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) to companion animals has become increasingly popular. Since these diets may be contaminated with bacteria and parasites, they may pose a risk to both animal and human health. A study recently described in the Veterinary Record tested a range of Dutch commercial RMBDs for the presence of zoonotic bacterial and parasitic pathogens, 35 commercial frozen RMBDs from eight different brands being analysed.
As a result, Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 was isolated from eight products (23%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing E. coli in 28 products (80%). Listeria monocytogenes was present in 19 products (54%), other Listeria species in 15 products (43%) and Salmonella species in seven products (20%). The parasites, Sarcocystis cruzi and S. tenella were both found in four products (11% each) while two products (6%) were positive for Toxoplasma gondii.
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