| General overview | Salmonella can persist under dry conditions, enabling long-term survival in pet food products [44].FDA, CDC, and state authorities investigate contamination events, and most recalls are voluntary. Between 2003 and 2022, 859 pet food recalls were reported, accounting for 24% of all recalls and 85% of recalls due to bacterial pathogens [45]. |
| Human outbreaks linked to pet food | ․ 1999 (Canada): Pig ear treats, Salmonella enterica serovar Infants [27].․ 2002 (Texas, USA): Imported beef treats, S. Newport, including a 1-month-old infant [46].․ 2005 (USA/Canada): Frozen beef and salmon treats, S. Thompson, 9 cases [42].․ 2007–2008 (USA): Kibble from Pennsylvania facility, S. Schwarzengrund, 79 cases across 21 states [47].․ 2012 (South Carolina, USA): Dry pet food, 49 cases in USA/Canada.․ 2013 (New Hampshire, USA): Treat facility, 43 cases and 16 hospitalizations; outbreak strain detected in 78% of environmental samples [48].․ 2017–2019: S. Reading outbreak, 358 cases in 42 states, 1 fatality, 64% MDR strains; identical strain found in raw turkey, raw pet food, and human isolates.․ Additional outbreaks: S. Reading (2018), pig ear treats (2019), S. Kiambu in infants (2023). |
| Distribution of recalls by product type (1999–2024, n=859) | Treats: 33.3%; Dry food: 29.1%; Raw meat-based diets (RMBD): 30%; Supplements: 4.2%; Wet food: 1.7%. |
| Distribution of human outbreaks by product type | Treats: 45.5%; RMBD: 27.3%; Dry food: 27.3%. Among all outbreaks, 45.5% were associated with MDR serovars, and one case involved an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strain. |
| Recent situation (2021–Jun 2024, USA) | A total of 21 Salmonella-related recalls were reported, of which 8 involved RMBD. Human cases were disproportionately observed among infants and elderly individuals, underscoring the need for enhanced hygiene education and protective measures for vulnerable groups. |