Bones & Co. Response to Food Safety Amid Bird Flu Concerns
At Bones & Co., we take food safety and quality very seriously. We understand how important it is for you to feel confident in the safety of the food you provide for your pets. In light of the ongoing Bird Flu concerns, we want to assure you that our products are produced with the highest standards of food safety and quality control. While Bird Flu primarily affects poultry, and the risk of transmission through properly handled and prepared meat products remains extremely low, we are committed to maintaining rigorous safety protocols throughout our entire production process.
Impact of Bird Flu on Dog Food
To date, there has been only one documented illness which was found in a feline. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize that cats are more susceptible to contracting the virus through direct exposure to infected poultry or birds, rather than through consumption of properly handled and processed meat.
As you know Bones & Co. does not make cat food. The risk of canine exposure from commercially processed raw food, including our products, is extremely low.
Impact of Bird Flu on Goat Milk
It’s important to note that Bird Flu primarily affects poultry. However there has been an increased infection rate in Dairy Cattle, not Dairy Goats. The USDA requires that any positive test from a herd is reported to federal authorities and mitigation actions are enforced. The following biosecurity measures are the most important to prevent disease spread and promote herd health:
Limiting visitors on the farm and minimizing foot traffic;
Avoiding contact with wild and domestic fowl;
Avoiding the sharing of farm equipment;
Making sure feed and water sources are covered and free of contaminants, limiting the attraction of wild fowl and pests; and
Employing effective pest and wild bird management practices.
Our Approach:
Sourcing from Human Grade Trusted Suppliers: We work with trusted, certified suppliers who adhere to the strictest food safety standards. All of our poultry is sourced from USDA inspected human grade farms, and we ensure that the farms we work with follow best practices for biosecurity, minimizing the risk of contamination.
USDA Biosecurity Measures: The U.S. has the most robust monitoring and surveillance programs in the world – and detailed plans in place to control spreading among flocks and eliminate the virus completely. All U.S. flocks are tested year-round for avian influenza, and if a single bird in a flock were to test positive for avian flu, then none of those birds would be allowed to enter the food supply. The USDA and the poultry industry as a whole continue to monitor for the virus closely, and have increased surveillance and biosecurity measures to keep flocks protected.
Ongoing Monitoring and Testing: In addition to the above, we conduct ongoing microbiological testing of our ingredients, kitchen and finished products to ensure they meet our high standards for safety and quality. This includes regular testing, which covers a broad range of potential contaminants, including those that could be associated with avian viruses.
We understand that safety is a top priority for our customers, and we want to emphasize that, as with all raw food products, handling practices at home—such as proper storage and sanitation—are critical to maintaining the health and safety of your pet. We recommend following the guidelines for safe food handling, including washing hands and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw food.
We hope this information provides peace of mind, and we want to assure you that we are continually monitoring and adapting our practices in accordance with the latest research and industry guidelines. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and your pet.