Inactivation of Salmonella, Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Diet Pet Foods Using High-Pressure Processing.

Pet food formulated with raw meat can pose health risks to pets and humans. High-pressure processing (HPP) was evaluated to achieve a 5-log reduction ofSalmonella,E. coliSTEC, andL. monocytogenesin commercial raw pet foods and maintain a 5-log reduction throughout post-HPP storage.Three formulation types that varied in the amounts of striated meat, organ meat, bone, seeds, and other ingredients (fruits, vegetables, and minor ingredients) designated as A-, S-, and R-formulations were used. Eight raw diet pet foods, consisting of three beef formulations (A-, S- and R-Beef), three chicken formulations (A-, S-, and R-Chicken), and two lamb formulations (A- and S-Lamb), were inoculated with 7 log CFU/g cocktails ofSalmonella,E. coliSTEC orL. monocytogenes, HPP at 586 MPa for 1-4 min, and stored refrigerated (4°C) or frozen (-10 to -18°C) for 21 days with microbiological analyses at various time intervals. A- formulations (20-46% meat, 42-68% organs, 0.9-1.3% seeds, and 10.7-11.1% fruits, vegetables, and minor ingredients) inoculated withSalmonellaand treated at 586 MPa for at least 2 min achieved a 5-log reduction 1 day post-HPP and maintained that inactivation level during frozen storage. A- and S-formulations inoculated withE. coliSTEC and treated at 586 MPa for at least 2 min achieved a 5-log reduction from day 6 of frozen storage. L. monocytogeneswas more HPP resistant thanSalmonellaandE. coliSTEC.S-formulations containing chicken or beef and stored frozen post-HPP had lower inactivation of L. monocytogenes compared to A-formulations containing chicken or beef. S-Lamb had higher frozen storage inactivation (5.95 ± 0.20 log CFU/g) compared to chicken (2.52 ± 0.38 log CFU/g) or beef (2.36 ± 0.48 log CFU/g). HPP coupled with frozen storage time was effective in achieving and maintaining a 5-log reduction ofSalmonellaandE. coliSTEC whileL. monocytogeneswas more resistant and requires further optimization to achieve a 5-log reduction.