OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is warning Canadian consumers of an ongoing Salmonella outbreak spanning six provinces. The outbreak has been identified as “extensively drug-resistant (XDR)” and linked to two potential sources: raw pet food and contact with cattle.

At least 40 cases of XDR Salmonella have been identified as part of the outbreak as of Nov. 11. Illnesses have occurred between July 2020 and September 2023 in Manitoba (1), Ontario (14), Quebec (21), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (2), and Prince Edward Island (1). The PHAC has not identified a single common supplier of raw pet food.

The outbreak has led to 13 hospitalizations so far, with no deaths reported. A significant number of illnesses (43%) have been identified in children ages 5 and under.

PHAC is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate the outbreak. The agencies reminded consumers to use safe food handling practices and frequent handwashing when handling raw pet food.

Read more about the investigation from PHAC.

Read more about pet food safety on our Operations page.