Debbie Phillips-DonaldsonDebbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry magazine and Petfood Forum.From the Author - Page 57Pet Food SafetyPetfood safety purrs and growls for 2013The recent release of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) caps a year of news, progress, regress and concerns about petfood safety in the US, making this a fitting time to assign accolades and criticisms to entities and people involved.Pet Food MarketRelease of FSMA petfood preventive control rule had curious timingIt would be a stretch to say that US petfood manufacturers welcomed last week's release, finally, of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Complying to the new regulations, once the final version is released next year, will require significant investments by some manufacturers. Yet after months--actually, years--of waiting to see these specific rules that apply to feed and petfood, at least the industry finally knows exactly what it's facing.Pet Food MarketReaction to jerky pet treat report proves consumers are still wary, worriedThe US Food an Drug Administration (FDA)'s release this week of an update on the investigation into illnesses related to chicken jerky pet treats really blew up on the Internet and social media. While one of FDA's intentions in issuing the update was to ask veterinarians for information on such illnesses they have treated, what mainstream and social media seized on and emphasized were the numbers: more than 3,000 complaints, over 3,600 dogs affected (plus 10 cats) and more than 580 deaths.Pet Food MarketDel Monte making big push to expand petfood shareDel Monte's announcement last week that it was divesting its human canned food business to focus on its petfood products was quite a bombshell -- at least for me, from both a personal and professional level. As a consumer growing up in the US at the tail end of the Baby Boomer generation, I have always regarded Del Monte as one of those iconic food companies.Pet Food MarketIs US pet specialty distributor consolidation affecting petfood?Recent news that Phillips Pet Food & Supplies is exploring a sale of the company, as reported by Reuters.com, may further consolidate an already rapidly compressing pet specialty distribution channel in the US. What does this mean for the distribution and retailing of petfood?Pet Food MarketPetfood and GMO legislation cross paths againWhile the US federal government shutdown may threaten legislative-related activity, such as the pending release of the preventive control rule for feed (including petfood) under the Food Safety Modernization Act, plenty of things are still happening at the state and local level. For example, a proposed law on the ballot for November 5 elections in Washington state that would require labeling of genetically modified foods is causing a war of words that has ensnared petfood.Pet Food PackagingWhy dry petfood rules the worldDog and cat food sales will reach US$69 billion dollars globally this year, according to the latest data from Euromonitor International. While treats are the fastest growing segments—dog treat retail sales are increasing nearly 5.5% a year and cat treats, about 5.1%—dry petfood for both dogs and cats is also projected to grow strongly through at least 2018.Pet Food MarketFinished product testing a hot petfood safety topicShould petfood manufacturers regularly test their finished products for Salmonella, holding them in inventory until test results return? And should that testing be mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the new preventive control rule for feed soon to be released under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?Pet Food MarketWhat sustainability means to consumers (and what that means for petfood)Sustainability has become a buzz word in marketing and other circles; it is also a concept that is resonating more with the petfood and human food industries as we struggle to find sustainable sources of protein and other ingredients to feed the growing number of people in the world (not to mention their growing number of pets). And we often hear that many consumers seek brands and products that follow or support sustainable practices. But what exactly does that mean?Pet Food MarketPetfood executives urge industry to share food safety practices, contact lawmakers"Food safety is not proprietary," declared Mike Hayes, director of food safety and quality for Del Monte and a speaker during "Petfood Insights: New Approaches to Quality & Technology." The symposium took place September 10-11 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA (yes, Elvis was sighted) and was hosted by Kemin.Pet Food MarketAlternative protein sources for petfood: are insects the answer?Increasing humanization of pets around the world -- even in China, a small (but rapidly growing) pet market, 90% of pet owners say their pets are part of the family, according to Mars Petcare China -- means rising numbers of pet owners who want and expect to feed their pets products similar to the types of food products they're seeking for themselves. When it comes to protein sources, that translates to seeking "human grade" meats, poultry or fish and shunning any ingredients perceived as lesser quality, such as meat or poultry by-products or meals. Petfood manufacturers have understandably responded to these consumer demands. So everyone should be happy, right?Pet Food MarketOnline petfood sales: Small but growing channelThe International Pet Industry Summit (IPIS), held in late August in Shanghai, China, as part of Pet Fair Asia, focused this year on pet product ecommerce. Like China's pet care industry overall, this sector seems to be small but growing quickly, especially when compared to the rest of the world.Previous PagePage 57 of 75Next Page