Public Health Agency of Canada’s Recent Notice

We take the recent news through Health Canada very seriously as a leader in the raw pet food category. As a summary, the news coverage highlights:

Drug resistant salmonella is the issue in these cases.
Currently 40 confirmed cases over 3 years (starting in 2020).
The source has not been completely linked to raw pet food – the article states it’s either raw pet food or cattle.
Health Canada has not linked these cases to any specific brand of raw pet food.
Cases are in Manitoba through to Prince Edward Island.

We take many precautions to ensure we meet the highest safety standards at Big Country Raw through:

Food grade sourcing – human grade CFIA inspected suppliers.
Rigorous food safety protocols including HACCP certification.
Phages are used during production which kills salmonella.
Equipment sanitation – including daily swabbing.

We stress the importance of ensuring pet parents practice safe food handling – exactly like how you would in preparation of your own food. This is not a raw food issue – this is inclusive of all pet food types (for example, currently in the US, there is a recall on a kibble due to salmonella). Safe handling practices are clearly marked on all Big Country Raw packaging:

Keep food frozen until ready to use.
Cover any unused portions.
Wash hands, bowls, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water after serving.
Use food within 3 days of thawing.

We urge pet parents to always look for quality assurance from their chosen pet foods brands, particularly HACCP certification, to ensure that brands are held to the highest standards for food safety.

Public Health Agency of Canada’s Recent Notice

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