The so-called biologically appropriate raw food diet, commonly known with the acronym BARF, has increasingly gained a wide applicability for pets feeding (defined as "ancestral feeding habit") with special regard in the developed countries [1]. It means that the main used ingredients are raw animal origin tissues (i.e., muscle, viscera, and skeletal ones) which are obtained from different species. These matrices should be managed as animal by-products belonging to the Category-3, as reported in the EU Reg. N. 1069/2009. Among the different microbiological and zoonotic foodborne pathogens, EFSA and FDA have indicated Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli 0157:7, and Campylobacter species as the main bacterial concerns isolated from raw pet foods, and also resulting responsible for confirmed cases of infections. From a hygienic point of view, the absence of the thermal treatments, before ingestion, does not permit a certain microbiological stabilization (bactericidal effect) of any quantitative parameters i.e., total mesophilic and psychrophilic counts. Indeed, the used matrices result commercialized in refrigerated or frozen forms. Possible cross- contaminations are mainly correlated to the pet owner improper food handling and/or to the usage of same kitchen utensils both for human and animal feeding. In the European and Italian scenarios, many studies discovered quantitative bacterial amounts conform to the acceptability limit of 5 x 106 cfu/g, in accordance with the EU Reg. N. 2073/2005 - hygienic criteria for mechanically separated meat intended for human consumption. On the other hand, qualitative and selective studies have generally discovered many zoonotic pathogenic species as E. coli O157:H7 from 23% of BARF products, Salmonella species from 71%, L. monocytogenes from 90%, and Campylobacter spp. from 29% ones, as reported by Bottari et al. [1]. Their detection was also associated with the identification of antibiotic resistant profiles against antimicrobials normally administrated in veterinary medicine and to the so-called Critical Important Antimicrobials (CIA) which usage is restricted for humans only. This condition represents the environmental pollution of mobile genetic determinants which are horizontally transmitted among commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Raw animal tissues could also provide possible chances to complete parasitic life cycles which result involved as definite or intermediate hosts (i.e., Echinococcus granulosus, Sarcocystis spp., Cryptosporidium spp., etc.) [2]. Therefore, possible bacterial and parasitic issues should be considered as risk both for animal and human species, as One-health concerns. The selection of highly qualified feed suppliers, detailed instructions for usage of BARF products on labels, and formative courses on the so-called "good hygiene practices" for pet-owners, organized by veterinary practitioners, will represent substantial and critical points to prevent and/or reduce possible cross-species infections with special regard during the food handling and preparation steps. In conclusion, innovative food technologies, such as high-pressure pasteurization and ultrasonication [3], have produced promising results on the bacterial and parasitic inactivation and stabilization as valid and sustainable alternatives.
77° Convegno della Società Italiana delle Scienze Veterinarie (SISVET), svoltosi a Parma dal 12 al 14 giugno 2024
Gianluigi Ferri
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2024-01-01
Abstract
The so-called biologically appropriate raw food diet, commonly known with the acronym BARF, has increasingly gained a wide applicability for pets feeding (defined as "ancestral feeding habit") with special regard in the developed countries [1]. It means that the main used ingredients are raw animal origin tissues (i.e., muscle, viscera, and skeletal ones) which are obtained from different species. These matrices should be managed as animal by-products belonging to the Category-3, as reported in the EU Reg. N. 1069/2009. Among the different microbiological and zoonotic foodborne pathogens, EFSA and FDA have indicated Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli 0157:7, and Campylobacter species as the main bacterial concerns isolated from raw pet foods, and also resulting responsible for confirmed cases of infections. From a hygienic point of view, the absence of the thermal treatments, before ingestion, does not permit a certain microbiological stabilization (bactericidal effect) of any quantitative parameters i.e., total mesophilic and psychrophilic counts. Indeed, the used matrices result commercialized in refrigerated or frozen forms. Possible cross- contaminations are mainly correlated to the pet owner improper food handling and/or to the usage of same kitchen utensils both for human and animal feeding. In the European and Italian scenarios, many studies discovered quantitative bacterial amounts conform to the acceptability limit of 5 x 106 cfu/g, in accordance with the EU Reg. N. 2073/2005 - hygienic criteria for mechanically separated meat intended for human consumption. On the other hand, qualitative and selective studies have generally discovered many zoonotic pathogenic species as E. coli O157:H7 from 23% of BARF products, Salmonella species from 71%, L. monocytogenes from 90%, and Campylobacter spp. from 29% ones, as reported by Bottari et al. [1]. Their detection was also associated with the identification of antibiotic resistant profiles against antimicrobials normally administrated in veterinary medicine and to the so-called Critical Important Antimicrobials (CIA) which usage is restricted for humans only. This condition represents the environmental pollution of mobile genetic determinants which are horizontally transmitted among commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Raw animal tissues could also provide possible chances to complete parasitic life cycles which result involved as definite or intermediate hosts (i.e., Echinococcus granulosus, Sarcocystis spp., Cryptosporidium spp., etc.) [2]. Therefore, possible bacterial and parasitic issues should be considered as risk both for animal and human species, as One-health concerns. The selection of highly qualified feed suppliers, detailed instructions for usage of BARF products on labels, and formative courses on the so-called "good hygiene practices" for pet-owners, organized by veterinary practitioners, will represent substantial and critical points to prevent and/or reduce possible cross-species infections with special regard during the food handling and preparation steps. In conclusion, innovative food technologies, such as high-pressure pasteurization and ultrasonication [3], have produced promising results on the bacterial and parasitic inactivation and stabilization as valid and sustainable alternatives.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
