The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed new safety rules for domesticated animal food on Oct. 25. This new proposition, which is a part of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act, would require animal food companies who sell domesticated animal food in the United States to have detailed food processing safety plans. They would be required to follow healthy manufacturing practices such as sanitation to help prevent food-borne illnesses in both animals and their owners.

For example, if this proposal were to pass, animal food companies would need to begin monitoring and documenting how long they’ve cooked canned pet foods and if they were cooked at the correct temperature.

The proposed regulation would not only benefit animals, but it would also benefit humans. Even if people don’t eat the food they feed to their animals, they can easily become sick by handling the contaminated food. 

In Aug. 2010, 79 people were infected with Salmonella after coming into contact with dry pet food, and 14 people again in May of last year. Every time these incidences occur, both the media and the government cause a big uproar over pet food safety, but once everyone is cured of their illnesses, the uproar dies down and once again becomes silent. 

Currently, the government does not act on animal food safety problems until an outbreak, such as the jerky treat outbreak that resulted in the death or illnesses of over 4,000 animals. Because of this, there have been a number of animal food recalls over the years. In 2013, the FDA has already announced over 30 animal food recalls and safety alerts. 

If this proposal passes but companies refuse to comply, the FDA would have the right to do any of the following, or worse: issue warning letters, stop shipments of their products, seize products, or prosecute the companies. This proposal will place more responsibilities on animal food companies and will hold them responsible for the consequences that occur when animals eat their foods. 

Companies currently do not have to report their manufacturing practices or food safety hazards to the FDA. If this ruling were to pass, the FDA predicts that it could cost the industry around $130 million annually to enforce. In addition, smaller companies would have more time to comply to this possible regulation than larger companies. 

The FDA will hold three public meetings – one on Nov. 21 in Maryland, one on Nov. 25 in Chicago, and one on Dec. 6 in Sacramento – to discuss this proposal. The proposal will be open for public commentary for four months until the FDA issues their final verdict. 

Reach Staff Reporter Janelle Cabuco here.