13/02/2026
A study released this week from the Food Standards Agency has shown that 35% of raw pet foods for sale in the U.K. contain potentially harmful bacteria.
Salmonella, high levels of E-coli and antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria were all found, which means that if you chose to raw feed, it is important you are aware of the potential risks of these bacteria and how to manage them.
The study took place between 2023 and 2024, with foods tested over 12 months to ensure a range of batches were included. 50 different brands were sampled, purchased from stores in England, Ireland and Wales, and in total 380 meals were analysed.
Salmonella, for which there is a zero tolerance in raw pet food in the U.K. and therefore should never be present, was found in 20% of the diets tested.
E.coli is allowed, in recognition of these diets being uncooked, but the number must be under a certain amount. 16% of diets had levels higher than those allowed by the regulations.
Pathogenic bacteria, strains that have the capability of causing illness in humans, were found in 35% of samples. There was the salmonella in 20%, Campylobacter in nearly 14%, Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (which can make people extremely ill) in nearly 12% and MRSA in nearly 10%.
They also found significant amounts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Although the main focus of this study was the diets themselves, the FSA also noted that over half of the companies didn’t include the full recommended guidance wording on the packaging, which is “Use as pet food only. Keep apart from food. Wash hands and clean tools, utensils and surfaces after handling this product.” And 7% had no safety information at all.
So what does this mean if you raw feed your pet?
You are still very welcome to do so but it is important to understand the potential risks of these bacteria, especially if you have children, elderly or immunocompromised family members.
It is vital that you follow safe handling of the food and clean carefully after feeding.
It is also important to realise that raw fed animals themselves will carry these bacteria and while we all love to have a close relationship with our pets, it is important to maintain good hygiene and bear this in mind.
When considering companies to use for your pet's raw food, I would encourage you to look at ones who are members of UK Pet Food and who have signed up to their Raw Food Certification Scheme; https://www.ukpetfood.org/membership/member-listing.html?sortBy=asc&industry_role=raw-pet-food-standard-approved-manufacturer
You can read the full study here; https://science.food.gov.uk/article/155340-a-survey-of-microbiological-and-antimicrobial-resistance-amr-contamination-found-in-raw-dog-and-cat-food-on-retail-sale-in-the-uk
Also, here are some other studies looking into the same thing and also showing the increased risks for raw fed pets having a higher carriage of bacteria;
An investigation of the presence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae in raw and cooked kibble diets for dogs in the United Kingdom
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38260907/
Raw meat diets are a major risk factor for carriage of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant and multidrug-resistant E. coli by dogs in the UK
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39314877/
UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35191029/
Evidence that faecal carriage of resistant Escherichia coli by 16-week-old dogs in the United Kingdom is associated with raw feeding
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35146110/
Reasons Why Dog Owners Stop Feeding Raw Meat-Based Diets (RMBDs)—An Online Survey
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9372/1/1/4
