Why are the recommendations for safely preparing human foods so different than what is recommended for preparing our pets food? Both human food and pet food has seen a dramatic rise in salmonella recalls. So why are safety steps so different for human and/or pet food?
“Basic food safety is common sense” says FoodSafetyNews.com article Learn the Basics to Keep Food Safe at Home. The article provides some smart suggestions to avoid contamination of foods at home. No hazardous material suit required. ‘Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold; wash hands, knives, and cutting boards; and wash ready-to-eat foods (fruit and vegetables) thoroughly.’ http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/10/preventing-foodborne-illness/
Alternatively, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) tells pet owners to “Don’t prepare your pets food in the same area and certainly not with the same utensils; Feed your pet as far away from the human food preparation area as you can” (along with washing hands). https://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/avma-video-on-salmonella-pet-food-recalls.html
So recommended food preparation safety is common sense for human food, but pet food preparation safety recommendations go way past common sense. It is absurd for most pet owners to consider feeding their cat or dog anywhere other than the area the rest of the family eats.
Billions of dollars have been made by companies catering to our love of our pets. ‘Humanization’ of pets is specifically marketed to in pet food advertising (pretend Chef Michael as example). Yet for safety concern we’re supposed to have separate utensils used for pet food and feed our furry friends out in the back yard (as far away from the human food preparation area)?
‘They’ can’t have it both ways. Pet food – clean up your act (and your pet food plant). AVMA – take an active role in pet food safety (don’t just keep cashing the checks of pet food endorsement).
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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