At ZIWI, the safety of your pet is our top priority. We understand the concerns surrounding the presence of harmful pathogens in pet food, especially Salmonella and the emerging threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1. While raw meat and organs provide essential nutrition for your pet, they can sometimes carry pathogens, which is why we have spent over 20 years refining our processes to ensure your pet enjoys food that is both safe and nutritious.
Raw ingredients and pathogen risks: What you need to know
All ZIWI recipes contain raw meat and organs, which are rich in nutrients but naturally carry the potential for pathogens. Salmonella is one of the most commonly cited risks in pet food recalls, making pathogen management crucial. But beyond Salmonella, the rise of HPAI H5N1, also known as bird flu, poses an additional concern for pet safety.
How ZIWI eliminates pathogens
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Heat Treatment Protocols: ZIWI has developed highly effective heat treatment protocols over the last 20 years that are proven to eliminate pathogens such as Salmonella and HPAI H5N1. The heat treatment required to eliminate Salmonella significantly exceeds the temperature needed to neutralize Avian Influenza, meaning that both bacteria and viruses are eradicated during the production process.
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Advanced Processing Techniques: For our Air-dried recipes, we use Z-TWINTECH™ technology, which removes pathogens while preserving the nutritional value of the meat.
Additionally, for our Steam & Dried range, we use Z-MicroSteam™ technology. This advanced process gently steams the ingredients at a precise temperature to eliminate pathogens while locking in natural flavors and nutrients. The result is a high-quality, safe food product that retains its nutritional integrity. These methods are far gentler than traditional processes such as extrusion or baking, which can degrade the quality of food.
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Retort Canning for Safe, Shelf-Stable Food: For our canned products, we use the retort method, which heats food to a high temperature for the necessary time to eliminate bacteria and viruses like HPAI H5N1. This process ensures that your pet’s food is safe, shelf-stable, and packed with the right nutrients.
Regulatory oversight and compliance
ZIWI operates under stringent regulatory oversight from both New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the U.S. FDA & USDA-FSIS. These agencies collaborate to ensure that all imported pet food meets rigorous safety standards, including pathogen elimination protocols for HPAI H5N1 and Salmonella.
Before our products leave New Zealand for export to the USA, they are reviewed by authorities, who verify compliance with all safety measures. Once all conditions are met, a health certificate is issued, confirming the product’s safety and allowing it to enter the market.
A scientifically proven approach
As highlighted by BSM Partners, HPAI H5N1 is primarily spread through raw poultry and dairy products that have not undergone adequate pathogen mitigation. However, pet food products like kibble and canned foods, which undergo high-heat treatment, are much safer and pose minimal risk. This is why we recommend feeding your pet food that has undergone proven pathogen mitigation treatments to ensure safety from both Salmonella and Avian Influenza.
Best practices for pet parents
As a pet parent, you can also take proactive steps to reduce the risk of HPAI H5N1 exposure and other pathogens. BSM Partners recommends several practices for choosing safe food, including:
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Choose food with proven pathogen control: Opt for brands that use processes like heat treatment to eliminate risks such as HPAI H5N1 and Salmonella.
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Avoid raw food that hasn’t been treated with a proven pathogen inactivation process.
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Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling pet food, and clean pet food bowls, utensils, and surfaces regularly to avoid cross-contamination.
At ZIWI, we are committed to ensuring that every product is pathogen-free, allowing you to feed your pet with confidence. We encourage pet parents to choose brands that prioritize food safety through advanced processing techniques and proven pathogen control methods.
Conclusion
Your pet’s health is our top priority. That’s why ZIWI uses scientifically proven heat treatment protocols, advanced processing methods, and regulatory compliance to ensure that harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and HPAI H5N1 are effectively eliminated from our products. With ZIWI, you can rest assured that your four-legged friend is receiving safe, high-quality food with every meal.
In a recent article by Dr. Katy Miller and Dr. Bradley Quest from BSM Partners, the risks of HPAI H5N1 are highlighted, including its presence in domestic cats across several regions in the US. This underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of pet food, especially when using raw ingredients like poultry by-products.
To learn more about how ZIWI ensures the safety of our products or for personalized feeding advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help you make the best choices for your pet’s health and well-being.
