Debbie Phillips-DonaldsonDebbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry magazine and Petfood Forum.From the Author - Page 63Pet Food MarketSnapshot of petfood ingredient market shows ongoing growthA report on the global animal feed ingredients market released last week offers a few tidbits of data and information regarding petfood ingredients, with the highlight that the overall market as well as the segment that includes companion animal food are both growing strongly. That growth is projected to continue at a compound annual rate of 5% to 7.5% through 2019.Pet Food MarketStudy: How petfood purchasing decisions are influenced by packaging, retail channelA study of US pet owners on how and where they shop for petfood offers some interesting insights for professionals in charge of petfood marketing and packaging design, perhaps even for large companies that have the resources to conduct their own consumer research.Pet Food MarketPetfood not a factor after all in latest non-GMO legislative failureA ballot initiative to require many foods and beverages that contain genetically modified ingredients sold in the state of Washington to carry labels failed to pass during November 5 elections, with 55% of voters opposed to the measure. Though earlier news reports claimed petfood was being used as an example by both supporters and opponents of the initiative, petfood-related debates seemed to fade down the stretch, replaced by arguments over cost, health benefits and labeling of human foods. And unlike with a similar proposed law in California last year that was also defeated, petfood industry organizations appeared not to engage in the Washington battle with either words or money.Pet 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?Previous PagePage 63 of 81Next Page
