Independent study appraisal · 2005
Bacteria in commercial raw pet foods: a 25-product survey
The sampled raw foods sometimes contained potentially harmful bacteria. This was food testing, not a trial showing how often pets or people became ill.
Question and design
25 commercial raw foods purchased in Ontario; no animals were enrolled. Laboratory culture of retail raw foods stored according to their labels. Comparator: No cooked-food comparison group.
What was measured?
Bacterial detection and coliform counts.
Main findings
Salmonella was recovered from 5 of 25 foods. Coliforms were detected in all samples. E. coli was reported in 15 foods; the English abstract incorrectly pairs this count with 64%, whereas 15/25 is 60%.
Strengths and limitations
Direct laboratory testing of purchased products; multiple bacterial targets. Small historical retail sample; no animal illness or household transmission measured. The results cannot estimate the contamination rate of today’s brands.
Researchers’ conclusion
The authors identified microbiological hazards in sampled commercial raw diets.
Evidence.pet interpretation
Detection in food and disease in an animal are different endpoints. A historical survey supports a safety question, but cannot identify the status of an untested current pack.
Funding and conflicts
Funding and conflict declarations have not been fully verified in this initial appraisal.
Source and connected records
Weese JS, Rousseau J, Arroyo L. Bacteriological evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2005;46(6):513–516.
STU-004. Checked 24 September 2026. Next review 24 December 2026. Initial source appraisal; full-report follow-up pending.