The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new rule for pet food regulation after 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have fallen ill from eating jerky treats since 2007.
About 580 pets have died after eating contaminated jerky treats in the U.S. In response the FDA issued a rule proposal that would require all pet food manufacturers to put a "formal plan" in place that would prevent contaminants in their products. They would also be required to have a plan for what to do if their product becomes contaminated.
The FDA has tested over 1,200 jerky treat samples since 2011 for a "variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants," including bacteria, metals, and pesticides.
The FDA warned people of what to look out for to catch the signs of foodborne illness.
"Within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination," the FDA reported.
Some severe cases have included gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, and even a rare kidney disorder. Several other cases reported skin disorders, collapse, and convulsions.
The FDA's new rule hopes to prevent future foodborne illness-related deaths in the future; it would apply to all manufacturers that wish to sell their product to the U.S., as well as domestic distributors.
"This proposed rule on animal food complements proposed rules published in January 2013 for produce safety and facilities that manufacture food for humans to set modern, prevention-based standards for food safety," Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael R. Taylor, said. "They also work in concert with standards proposed in July 2013 to help ensure that imported foods are as safe as those produced domestically."
The proposed rule is part of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) effort, which is working to modernize the food industry. The FDA plans to hold three public meetings on the proposed rule.
