BACTERIA

Bacteria

Carnivores, are built to handle a large amount of bacteria. They are carnivores. 
They even contain bacteria in their guts. Bacteria is everywhere, whether it be good bacteria or bad bacteria. Ferrets in particular, can handle a great deal of bacteria when it comes to diet, most are not susceptible to salmonella and efficiently pass it without infection and kibble fed ferrets are even known to shed salmonella in their stools. A ferrets digestive system is very short (only 3-4 hours) so that leaves no time for the salmonella which needs 12-72 hours, or even e.coli, which needs 3-4 days to incubate. That makes it highly unlikely that these illnesses would affect the ferret. Its not impossible,  just very very very very very very unlikely. For more information in regards to Bacteria, I recommend you check out this file from HFF.

As for humans, the risk is there. However as long as you take simple precautions, it would be highly unlikely that you would get sick.  Be sure to clean shelves, counter tops, refrigerators, freezers, utensils, sponges and towels to present bacterial contamination. It is especially important to wash all utensils and your hands with soap and hot water after handling one food and before handling another. This helps prevent cross-contamination in which, for example, bacteria in raw meat could be transferred to other foods, such as vegetables. It would be wise to use a different board for cutting different foods such as produce and meat. Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse and air dry or pat dry with fresh paper towels. 

Most raw feeders, feed human grade meat and as we all know already, Human grade meat is less likely to be contaminated with something like salmonella or E.coli than lets say, commercial raw pet food. Not saying its safe, because it can happen even with human 

grade, but humane grade is a lot safer than pet grade. A majority of the time, commercial raw pet food, is classed as pet grade meat. Forget the "Organic" this or "Human grade" that, If Its commercial pet food, its most likely containing pet grade pet food somewhere in it. 

“To date, raw pet foods have not been associated with salmonellosis in humans.”

According to Dr. Becker, Pet owners have been feeding raw diets to their dogs and cats for decades, yet to date, not one documented case of raw pet food causing illness in humans has been reported.

The important thing is to do your research and you decide if raw is for you.
Obviously not everyone can do it, but as long as you research and learn, then surely you can do it for your pet.


This is a snippet from the following article.