Is raw pet food riskier than kibble for bacteria?Updated 2 months ago

All pet food carries some level of microbial risk. Kibble has been subject to numerous Salmonella recalls over the years and can harbor mold and mycotoxins — heat processing reduces bacterial risk but doesn't eliminate it entirely. Raw pet food is different in that it isn't heat-processed, so bacterial management relies on ingredient quality, rigorous testing, and safe handling rather than cooking.

At Smallbatch, we source human-grade ingredients and apply strict food safety protocols — including pathogen testing before any product is released — across all product lines: frozen raw, Lightly Cooked, Perfectly Cooked, and freeze-dried. Raw food should always be handled with the same care you'd apply to raw meat in your own kitchen.