Fungal contamination in dog food: A comparative study of different marketing forms

Abstract

Mycotoxins, toxic metabolites produced by filamentous fungi, pose significant food safety risks, particularly in tropical regions. This study evaluated fungal contamination in 20 dog food samples, including 10 packaged and 10 sold in bulk, collected in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, between February and April 2024. Mycological analyses included culturing on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, incubation at 28±2 °C, and microscopic examination. Results indicated significantly higher fungal contamination in bulk dog food, with an average increase of 0.66 CFU/g compared to sealed products (P<0.05). Bulk samples contained elevated levels of Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and other fungi, totaling 2,018 isolates versus 927 in sealed samples. Brand-specific data revealed noncompliance with storage standards in bulk sales. Sealed packaging exhibited superior microbiological safety, underscoring the importance of stricter regulations, improved storage practices, and adherence to feed safety standards to protect animal health.