Food standards authorities in the UK issue Salmonella warning

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is issuing further instructions to reptile owners, following an outbreak of human salmonellosis linked to frozen mice used to feed snakes and other animals and birds.

FSS, along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK Health Security Agency, Public Health Wales and Public Health Scotland, are advising animal keepers not to feed their pets specific batches of frozen mice.  

Since the outbreak was first reported in 2015, there have been almost 900 cases of illness.

Salmonella (which causes salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestines and can pass from animals to people or via consumption of contaminated food or exposure to contaminated environments and cause infection.

This outbreak of Salmonella has been linked to specific frozen mice products and as a result, a product recall information notice detailing affected products has been issued by FSS and FSA. The recall does not affect rats from the same supplier, however investigations are ongoing. Should concerns about the safety of rats be identified, our advice will be updated accordingly.

FSS and FSA are instructing reptile owners and others who have a supply of the affected frozen mice to return them to the place of purchase so they can be carefully disposed of.

However, they are also warning people to be extra careful when handling any frozen rodents including mice product and packaging, not just the batches identified, due to the risk of salmonella from other batches linked to this recall.

People should be extra vigilant, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after contact, when handling not just the product, but their reptiles and associated equipment and environment, due to the risk of the illness.

“In September this year, FSS and the FSA introduced new requirements for shops to provide a leaflet warning about the risks of salmonella and how to keep customers safe when buying and feeding frozen mice to their reptiles. However, the outbreak continues and a full withdrawal and recall of the specific batches of frozen mice is necessary. The withdrawal and recall does not affect rats from the same supplier, however investigations are continuing, should concerns about the safety of rats be identified, advice will be updated,” said an FSS spokesperson.

“Therefore, if you have the affected feeder mice product in your freezer, please return it to where you purchased it from so it can be disposed of carefully and thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces it has been in contact with, including your hands. We are also asking people to be extra vigilant with all frozen rodent product, however, do check the specific information about which batches are involved as retailers will not be accepting other material.”