Canadian Salmonella outbreak blamed on unspecified dog food / dog treats

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is alerting residents to an outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to contact with dog food and dog treats.

The PHAC has received reports of 27 laboratory-confirmed cases spread across four provinces and territories: Alberta (13), British Columbia (12), Ontario (1), and Northwest Territories (1).

Six people have been hospitalized.

Outbreak victims range from 0 to 87 years of age, and became sick between mid-February and mid-August 2025. There have been no deaths.

Although many of the victims reported handling dog food and treats prior to becoming ill, including kibble and dehydrated and freeze-dried treats, a common source or supplier has not been identified as yet.

Pet food / pet treat regulation in Canada

Unlike the United States, the United Kingdom, and member countries of the European Union, Canada does not regulate or monitor the microbiological safety of pet foods or pet treats made in Canada for domestic consumption.

Only those Canadian-made pet foods/treats manufactured for export are subject to regulation.

The PHAC has investigated a number of outbreaks of human illness linked to pets, pet foods and pet treats in the past, including illnesses linked to raw pet foods, kibble, pet treats, and feeder rodents for snakes.

What the public should do

This outbreak investigation is ongoing.

To reduce your risk of becoming ill from contact with a dog, their food or treats, the PHAC recommends the following actions:

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling any type of dog food or treat.
Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly, with soap and water, every time after touching dogs, their food or treats.
Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with dog food or treats before using them again. This includes food and water bowls, countertops, microwaves and refrigerators.
Use dedicated dishes and utensils to serve your dog and wash them separately from other dishes and utensils.
Store all dog food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children. Pick up food and treats containers when your pet is done with them.
Follow storage instructions found on the packaging of dog food and treats, including proper refrigeration and freezing if needed, to prevent them from becoming spoiled.
Read the labels on dog food and treats to learn about the ingredients, the product’s expiry date, and if the food is cooked or raw. Raw pet food and treats may be fresh, frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried.
Wash your hands after contact with a dog and after handling their waste.

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Multiple kibble brands recalled for Salmonella

TFP Nutrition has expanded an earlier recall of dry dog food to include all dry dog, dry cat, and catfish formulas manufactured in their Nacogdoches, Texas, facility.

The expanded recall is due to potential Salmonella contamination.

The following dog food brands were recalled:

Country Acres
Exclusive Red Flannel
Exclusive Signature
H-E-B Texas Pets
Hill Country Fare
Lone Star
Member’s Mark
Retriever
Star Pro

The following cat food brands were recalled:

Country Acres
Economax
Exclusive Red Flannel
Exclusive Signature
Feline Medley
H-E-B Texas Pets
Multi-Cat
Meow For More
Paws & Claws
Star Pro Feline

The company also recalled Lone Star Floating Catfish Food.

All of the recalled products were manufactured between August 21, 2023 and November 12, 2023.

Access the complete list of recalled products, including information on where they were distributed.

TFP is a family-owned manufacturer of pet food and livestock feed, and has been in business since January 1930.

The company is working directly with retailers to ensure that all recalled products are removed from store shelves.

What consumers should know

Dogs can become infected with Salmonella after eating a contaminated product, including kibble.

Infected dogs may show symptoms that include lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some infected dogs may not show any symptoms at all, but may shed the bacteria in their stools nevertheless, potentially infecting other animals or humans.

People who become infected with Samonella may suffer from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. In rare cases, a Salmonella infection can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Pet owners or other individuals who may have come into contact with the recalled product should monitor themselves and their animals for symptoms of Salmonella infection, and should consult their veterinarian or healthcare professional (as appropriate) if any of these symptoms appear.

How to report a pet illness

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network) if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.

The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

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“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

More kibble contaminated with Salmonella

Mid America Pet Food (Mount Pleasant, TX) has announced a recall of three batches of Victor brand dry dog food due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The company initiated the voluntary recall after random sampling by a third party found Salmonella in samples from the three lots.

The affected lots of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula carry a “Best before” date of 6/12/2024, and can be identified by the following package sizes and lot codes:

5-lb bags: Lot #1000016890
15-lb bags: Lot #1000016891
40-lb bags: Lot #1000016892

The recalled products were distributed to various distributors and retailers in the United States.

According to the company’s recall notice, the current recall is separate from and unrelated to a recall initiated by Mid America in early September 2023. That earlier recall also was due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The company has instructed retailers and distributors to pull the implicated product from their inventory and from store shelves.

Consumers are advised not to feed the recalled products to their pets or to any other animals.