Laurence Callejon, R&D dog platform manager for SPF, presents studies investigating the role of kibble formulation on dry cat and dog food palatability, including key elements of the matrix as well as interactions between the core kibble and the topical ingredients (fat, palatants). For dogs, fat and protein origin have an important impact on palatability; for cats, the most important elements are protein source, starch quality and nutritional value.
A graduate of Aix-Marseille University with a master’s degree in chemical formulation, Callejon worked for four years as a flavorist in two companies specializing in feed additives. In 2010, she joined SPF as an R&D engineer with the objective to create the next generation of palatability enhancers. Using novel raw materials and innovative technologies, Callejon developed several palatability solutions that increase palatability of cats and dogs meals. In 2011, she took over the responsibility for SPF’s dog platform.
James Giranda, vice president of food safety and quality systems for American Nutrition Inc. (ANI), describes the essential elements of a comprehensive microbiological control system, including specific strategies, programs and processes to achieve the objective of eliminating environmental pathogens and cross contamination among finished products. Giranda covers necessary system components such as environmental sampling, Salmonella controls, cross-contamination prevention, sampling schemes, Six Sigma methods and metrics for tracking your progress.
Giranda directs all food safety and quality system processes for ANI, a petfood manufacturer based in Utah, USA. Previously, he held positions in quality and food safety with International Flavors & Fragrances, the Pillsbury Co., American Sweeteners and Mrs Pauls Foods. Giranda received a bachelor of science in microbiology from Pennsylvania State University and master of science in environmental health from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He has presented at dozens of conferences and to internal and external customers around the world.
Corinne Lamour, lecturer at Université Européenne de Bretagne, shares new marketing research on how pet owners make petfood purchase decisions, including factors such as high quality, brand, novelty-fashion, price, impulse, confusion, brand loyalty and brand prescription. Learn the importance of brand loyalty, perfectionism and brand prescription in pet owners’ choices and why the decision is so complex for some owners.
Lamour worked for 18 years in the petfood industry, in international marketing and sales for companies such as SPF and Kemin. As part of her PhD program in France, she studies consumer behavior in cross-cultural context and regularly gives lectures on sales and marketing at conferences such as the International Marketing Trends Congress and at various graduate business schools and universities in Europe.
Limin Ding, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Animal Nutrition at China Agricultural University, shares highlights of a trial she conducted with various protein sources—meals such as corn gluten, soybean, chicken, fish and duck—on diet intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and fecal quality in Tibetan mastiffs. Her results show different protein sources do impact digestibility and fecal quality, especially in puppies.
Ding is a faculty member within the College of Animal Science and Technology at China Agricultural University.
Clarissa Nicklaus, senior research analyst with Euromonitor International, provides the latest data and insights on the global and Chinese petfood markets. How are global developments affecting the domestic market and vice versa?
Nicklaus joined Euromonitor in 2011 as a research analyst. Previously she worked at M3 Global Research and Hutchinson. She graduated from Université Haute-Alsace/Berufsakademie Lörrach/Fachhochschule in Basel, Switzerland, with a degree in international business management.
Dustin O’Farrell, process engineering manager for Bühler Aeroglide Asia, explains how to understand energy usage in drying extruded petfoods and how to manage it efficiently to save money and improve your processes. In addition, he offers critical considerations for achieving uniform moisture in the finished petfood product to prevent safety risks and losses to the bottom line.
O’Farrell is based in Wuxi, China, where he currently focuses on building a support network for customers in China and Asia. Previously, he served as field engineering manager for Bühler Aeroglide in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. During his tenure with the company, he has evaluated more than 400 drying operations in over 30 countries, presented to customers on five continents and spoken at over 25 Bühler Aeroglide seminars.
Ping Deng, PhD, post-doctoral research associate at the University of Illinois, summarizes data relevant to canine nutritional dermatoses and provides information pertaining to the relationship between dietary supplementation, including with functional ingredients, and management of select skin diseases. The information is pertinent to developing and formulating petfoods that meet nutritional requirements and may target specific physiological states or therapeutic purposes.
Ping Deng is a native of China and earned bachelor and master of degrees in animal sciences at China Agricultural University. In 2009, she joined the companion animal nutrition laboratory of Kelly Swanson, PhD, at the University of Illinois and just earned her doctorate in August 2013. Her current research involves investigating the effects of dietary intervention on appetite-regulating hormone response and plasma metabolite profiles to obtain a better understanding of how appetite and metabolism are altered due to macronutrient intake by cats. Ping has given numerous presentations at national and international scientific conferences.
Signe Svindland, global manager of petfood for Aker BioMarine, presents results from more than 20 scientific, peer-reviewed papers on the health benefits and bioavailability of krill and some of its key nutrients, such as astaaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to the documented effects for cognitive, eye, joint, heart, kidney, skin and immune system health, this ingredient may hold promise for weight management and protection against metabolic diseases. Research also shows how krill can serve as a sustainable, highly available, adaptable and natural ingredient for petfoods.
Svindland is a candidate for a medical veterinary degree from the Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine and a PhD-fellow of immunology at the Medical Faculty, University of Bergen. She has authored several articles in peer review journals of immunology and given oral presentations at the Universities of Bergen, Oxford and Sienna. She joined Aker BioMarine, based in Oslo, Norway, in 2011.