Post-Opening Contamination of Dry Dog Food: A Focus on Zoonotic Bacteria
admin-cespu
Principal Investigator:
Maria João Pinto Simões
Leader Institution:
1H-TOXRUN-CESPU
Research Team:
Maria João Pinto Simões (PI); Ana Rita Violante Pedro (Co-PI); Mariana Alves Caipira Lei; Miguel António Morais Sousa; Ana Margarida Pereira Cardoso; Carla Manuela Moutinho Campos
Funding entity:
CESPU
Budget:
5 049,18 €
Period covered:
01.09.2026 - 31.08.2027
Abstract:
The growing concern for public health and animal welfare has driven studies on microbiological contamination in pet food. The DogFood project aims to evaluate the microbiological quality of packaged and bulk dry dog food sold in Portugal. Fifty samples, corresponding to 25 types of food, will be analyzed, with two collections per type: one upon opening the packaging and another five days later. Microbiological and molecular methods will be used to isolate/identify microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae, and to quantify the total microbial load. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (EUCAST/CLSI) and PCR assays will be performed to characterize their resistance profile. Framed within the "One Health" approach, the results will allow the identification of critical contamination points and support, together with vendors/handlers, the implementation of biosecurity measures.
The growing concern for public health and animal welfare has driven studies on microbiological contamination in pet food. The DogFood project aims to evaluate the microbiological quality of packaged and bulk dry dog food sold in Portugal. Fifty samples, corresponding to 25 types of food, will be analyzed, with two collections per type: one upon opening the packaging and another five days later. Microbiological and molecular methods will be used to isolate/identify microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, and Enterobacteriaceae, and to quantify the total microbial load. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (EUCAST/CLSI) and PCR assays will be performed to characterize their resistance profile. Framed within the "One Health" approach, the results will allow the identification of critical contamination points and support, together with vendors/handlers, the implementation of biosecurity measures.