Salmonella found in raw pet food poses health risk to owners and animals, Hong Kong consumer watchdog warns
Frozen raw or undercooked pet food could pose potential health risks to pets and their owners, Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog warned, after it found salmonella in three out of 17 samples tested.
The 17 products tested by the Consumer Council comprised 11 dog food items, five for cats and one for both cats and dogs. The council found salmonella in two frozen raw dog food products and one frozen raw cat food sample. None however, showed the presence of listeria monocytogenes or potentially deadly .
“While there are a limited number of studies proving the benefits of a raw food diet [for pets], there is plenty more scientific evidence counter-arguing the potential health risks to pets and their owners,” said the council’s publicity and community relations committee chairman Professor Michael Hui King-man.
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It noted that raw or undercooked meat for pets was generally sold at higher prices than dried pet food. In terms of expenditure, feeding a dog weighing 25kg with a raw diet costs HK$33 to HK$219 a day. Feeding a 5kg cat with raw food costs HK$21 to HK$36 a day, according to the council.
The watchdog urged pet food manufacturers to take measures to ensure hygiene and the safety of raw and undercooked products, adding that the government needed to review and strengthen legislative control on pet food.
Meanwhile, the council questioned airlines’ arrangements for the refund of the Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT).
After surveying 24 airlines on refund arrangements of the tax, the council found that at least three charged passengers an administration fee.
APDT is a “user-pay” levy of HK$120 for all air passengers aged 12 years or above.
The council said the figures on the total amount involved were not made publicly available, but stressed the administrative fee was unreasonable.
“The government has paid an administration fee to all the airlines for APDT collection and refund. Therefore, airlines should not impose a further administration fee on passengers when a refund of APDT is arranged,” said Gilly Wong Fung-han, the council’s chief executive.
The watchdog urged airlines to review existing APDT refund policies and procedures to improve transparency.
It did not provide complaint figures directly related to the APDT refunding.
