There have been a number of pet food product safety incidents over the years that have raised some concerns about pet food safety. These have included problems with treats as well as complete diets.
Where can I go to report a pet food issue?
- The initial step is for you to contact the pet food/treat manufacturer. All the information you need to contact them should be on the label. If not, ask the retailer you bought the food/treat from.
- If the response from the manufacturer is unsatisfactory or if the issue is ongoing you can report it to the PFIAA. PFIAA will try to assist, even if the manufacturer is not a PFIAA member.
- If the issue is serious (or if it is known to be occurring in a number of pets) your veterinarian should also report the issue through PetFAST.
The Pet Food Adverse Event System of Tracking (PetFAST) was established in 2011 by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) and the PFIAA. Only veterinarians can submit a report to PetFAST and a pet owner must have their animal examined by the vet who then decides whether it is necessary to submit a report to PetFAST.
AVA and PFIAA monitor the PetFAST reports for similarities that may indicate a possible problem. If they discover that a problem is affecting many pets, a joint committee will meet to discuss the next course of action. This manufacturer is contacted about the report and the concerns it has raised regarding the pet food. If the manufacturer is a PFIAA member they must respond to PetFAST after investigating the issue. Non-members have no obligation to respond.
