Does the freeze-dried raw dog food go through a heating element to kill pathogens given that it is raw ?Updated 5 months ago

Freeze-dried raw dog food typically does not go through a heating process like cooking or baking to kill pathogens. Instead, the freeze-drying process itself helps preserve the food by removing moisture, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. 

However, the raw ingredients may undergo other pathogen reduction steps before freeze-drying, such as:

High-Pressure Processing (HPP): This method uses high pressure to kill bacteria, parasites, and viruses without using heat.

UV Light Treatment or Irradiation: These methods can help reduce microbial contamination.

These processes aim to maintain the raw nature of the food while ensuring it is safe for consumption. It's always good to check with specific brands, as their methods might vary.