Feeding raw is the best choice when it comes to the health and overall well-being of dogs. Not only is raw dog food produced using natural and whole ingredients that dogs were biologically designed to eat, but also, as it is fed raw, manufacturers follow industry legislature and regulations ensuring safety protocols and nutrition standards, giving absolute peace of mind.
Manufacturer’s Responsibly
The ranges of raw and natural brands we entrust are registered with, receive approval from and adhere to DEFRA (Department of Food and Rural Affairs) manufacturer safeguarding standards that support safety, health and the nutritional content of raw dog food.
DEFRA registered raw dog food manufactures have regular facility inspections and must provide mandatory samples of their raw dog food to verified, independent laboratories to undergo microbiological testing for Salmonella.
Commercial raw dog food legislation is stricter than raw materials intended for human consumption, which does allow salmonella to be present, as it is the intention that the raw meat for human consumption will ultimately be cooked. It is for this important fact that when feeding raw, you should feed using a DEFRA registered brands and not feed meat from a local butcher with meat intended for human consumption.
Periodical texting for pathogens protects humans too, as it helps alleviate cross contamination from dog to human. Interestingly, dog’s stomachs are highly acidic, in fact, 10 times more acid than humans’, and are biologically designed to break down ground bone, digest meat and destroy an pathogens present.
Manufacturers also follow FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) regulations that provide specific nutritional guidelines, outlining type and quality of ingredients, affirm fit for purpose product packaging and including transparent labelling, and as well as outlining manufacturing standards and safe transit of raw, frozen products.
Legislation also dictates that all raw materials used in raw dog food manufacture must be traceable back to their source. The provenance of the natural ingredients used certifies that should there be an issue, the exact source of the raw materials is traced.
Raw Dog Food Company’s Responsibility
Raw Dog Food Company is the only supplier who employs a Food Safety Manager. With over 40 years’ experience in the pet food sector, David Primrose alongside our team, ensures that our robust Cold Chain Management systems are not only in place, but most importantly, are followed.
Our safety and hygiene standards cover all areas of cold chain management, from the manufacturer’s delivery to our premises, including temperature testing, intact product packaging, as well as safe freezer storage to ongoing freezer temperature checks and the thermal standards of materials used in the delivery of trusted ranges to our customers.
Raw Dog Food Company is committed to both word and action to protect the cold food supply chain – this is something you, as a consumer, should expect from your raw dog food supplier. Supporting happy, healthy dogs and their humans is at the forefront of all that we do.
Customer’s Responsibility
Within the home, there are straightforward best practices for the safe storage and handling of raw and natural dog food.
Hygiene:
- Hands should be washed with soap and hot water immediately after handling and preparing any raw pet food or treats
- Raw dog food and treats should be stored and defrosted away from where human food is stored and prepared
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces that the raw pet food touched, work surfaces, storage containers and utensils like knives, forks and bowls
Safe Storage and Handling:
- Freeze raw dog food until it is required
- Use a dedicated container for storage
- Keep raw dog food in a separate dedicated section away from other food in the refrigerator or freezer
- Defrost frozen raw dog foods away from other food, food preparation surfaces and equipment, and follow manufacturer defrosting times as outlined on product packaging
- Once defrosted follow manufacturer feed guidelines as outlined on product packaging, for example, once defrosted feed within 72 hours
- Discard defrosted raw dog food that has not been fed within 72 hours of defrosting
Feeding raw is truly a safe and natural way to feed your dog. With no fillers, additives and preservatives, what it says on the label is exactly what’s in your dog’s bowl – now that gives peace of mind.
