FSS publishes advice to reptile owners amid UK-wide Salmonella outbreak linked to feeder mice

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are urging reptile owners who have purchased certain feeder mice for their pets, take extra precautions in order to avoid contracting salmonellosis.

Scientists have again confirmed a link between Salmonella detected in feeder mice distributed across the UK by Monkfield Nutrition, and an outbreak of human cases of Salmonella. Retailers must now legally provide customers buying these feeder mice with an information leaflet about the risks of Salmonella infection, and advise on good practice for handling animal food, and ensuring good hygiene in the home.

The outbreak was first investigated in 2015 and has so far resulted in almost 850 reported human cases, mostly, but not exclusively, in those living in households with one or more pet reptiles. FSS and the FSA advise that the risk to the general public is considered to be very low.

Source: FSS, 20 September 2021