Public Health Update: Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Dog Food, Treats

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has released an update to its September multi-province Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak linked to dog food and treats that is being experienced in Canada.

This updated report follows an October 17 notice. The latest report states:

In Canada, pet food products are not subject to the same regulations and testing as food intended for humans. Dog food and treats can be contaminated with bacteria, including Salmonella, which can make people and dogs sick. You can get sick with Salmonella through contact with a dog, their food or treats, as well as their waste. Even if dogs don’t show any signs of illness, they can still infect people who are in contact with them or their environment.

Many people who became sick in this outbreak investigation reported handling dog food and treats prior to becoming ill.

Exposure to certain Puppy Love and Puppy World brand dog treats has been identified as a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in the outbreak.

The latest list of samples that tested positive for Salmonella is as follows:

• Puppy World Lamb Lung treats (150 gram, 340 gram, 454 gram bags)
• Puppy Love Chicken Wing Tip treats (120 gram bags)
• Puppy Love Chicken Breast treats (120 gram and 300 gram bags)
• Puppy Love Beef Chew 6-inch treats (Value pack, four pieces)
• Puppy Love “Twisty Jr.” beef treats (Value pack, five pieces)
• Puppy Love “Jr Ribbon” beef treats (Value pack, five pieces)
• Puppy Love Canadian Beef Curly treats (Value pack, five pieces)
• Puppy Love Beef Bully 12-inch treats (Value pack, five pieces)
• Puppy Love Beef Slim treats (Value pack, five pieces)
• Puppy Love “Jr Bully Mini” 4-5 inch beef treats (Value pack, ten pieces)

The investigation is ongoing and additional sources of the outbreak may be identified. This notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.