The Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA) reaffirmed the safety of extruded dry petfood and heat-treated, hermetically sealed poultry products in light of recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). According to GAPFA, these products remain safe for international trade as the processing methods used in their production effectively neutralise the HPAI virus.
The World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) recognised in 2021 that products like extruded dry petfood and heat-treated poultry meat with a specified F0 value of 3 or higher, when hermetically sealed, are safe for trade regardless of HPAI status in the producing country. This recognition followed a comprehensive scientific evaluation, confirming the safety of such petfood commodities in relation to HPAI.
GAPFA President Loretta Hunter emphasised the rigour of the scientific evaluation, stating, “Petfood meeting these conditions can continue to be safely traded regardless of the disease outbreak status of a producing country.”
The Terrestrial Animal Health Code, developed by WOAH, provides guidelines for safe international trade of animal products and includes recommendations on time and temperature protocols for cooking petfood to ensure it is free from HPAI.
GAPFA has worked with WOAH since 2017 through a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at promoting petfood safety, nutrition, and wellbeing.
Founded in 2014, GAPFA represents the interests of petfood manufacturers globally, advocating for standards in food safety and nutrition, and promoting the health and welfare of pets. Visit www.gapfa.org for further information.
