Best practices when handling raw food

Adopt these guidelines when preparing raw food for your pets at home

Ensure proper refrigeration

Freeze raw pet food in an air-tight package or container at the appropriate temperature of -18 degree celsius and below. At this temperature, raw food can be kept in optimal condition and lasts a long time (check stated expiry date on your pet food packaging). 

Thaw overnight in chiller

The safest way of thawing is to plan ahead and place the frozen food in an air-tight package or container to thaw overnight in a chiller (at 0 to 4 degree celsius).  It is not recommended to thaw frozen food on the counter, as temperatures above 4 degree celsius cause bacteria that may have been present in the raw food before freezing may start to multiply.

If you need to urgently thaw frozen meats, it’s recommended to submerge them in cold water so they can thaw in a more controlled environment. 

Never refreeze

Do not refreeze raw meats which have been thawed, as residential refrigerators are generally not designed for blast or quick freezing. Putting your thawed meats back into the freezer exposes it to risks of bacteria multiplication. It may no longer be safe to feed it raw to your pets.

Sanitize surfaces

Always start and end the meal preparation by sanitizing your working area, counter top and other utensils. Use a kitchen disinfectant or soapy hot water to wipe down all kitchen surfaces and ensure no food residue is left behind.

Ensure that your pet’s dining area is also properly sanitized after every meal and remove any remaining food.