Primal Pet Foods Statement on H5N1 Avian Flu
As the latest news about the bird flu outbreak in the United States has become more concerning to pet parents, we wanted to outline the steps that our Primal Pet Foods team has been taking to ensure your pet’s food is safe. We have been actively monitoring the latest information and guidance about the current outbreak and are working closely with our trusted suppliers to ensure the continued safety of our raw pet food.
Based on literature published on the effect of High-Pressure Processing (HPP), we believe that under our specific processing conditions, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus would be inactivated. This is supported by current research, which indicates that HPP is effective at mitigating the virus when applied at appropriate pressure levels and durations.
We also have a strict supplier approval program in place where each ingredient supplier undergoes a rigorous vetting process. This includes providing us with Letters of Guarantee, country of origin documents, valid third-party certifications, and/or internal risk assessment measures, specification sheets and other food safety supporting documents. Upon receipt of raw materials, we also rigorously inspect ingredients to ensure that processing and storage parameters are carefully maintained throughout the production process to safeguard product safety and quality.
Our suppliers maintain strict measures to ensure that the raw ingredients they supply to Primal meet our high standards for quality and nutrition. They have been following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and local agricultural officials and have increased their vigilance regarding biosecurity measures.
Our experienced Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) and Procurement teams have been working closely with our beef and poultry suppliers to ensure all safety protocols are consistently followed. For example, a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) veterinarian is always present to visually inspect cattle at our suppliers for signs of disease prior to processing. Additionally, our goat milk supplier has been screening their raw milk for several months and will continue to follow USDA's guidance to test every batch.
We will continue to monitor this emerging issue and quickly follow any new guidance outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or USDA. As always, if you have any concerns about your specific pet, we recommend consulting with your family veterinarian.