News & Newsletters: Page 721

Natural Products Association MarketPlace trade show suspended

Organizers of the Natural Products Association MarketPlace trade show, scheduled to be held June 27 -29, 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, have suspended the natural products show. The trade show is produced by New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media Inc., and the Natural Products Association.

Mars Petcare invests in petfood facility in South Carolina, USA

Petfood maker Mars Petcare US is investing US$12.5 million over the next three years in its production facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA, which producers the company's Pedigree and Whiskas petfood brands. The petfood company will purchase 3.75 acres of land adjacent to its current facility to expand the drop lot where trailers are unloaded and will install more equipment, according to Eudreon Curry, site manager.

Silliker offers 2013 petfood safety training programs

Silliker Inc. offers a new 2013 Food Safety Training program, which includes a range of educational offerings for the food and petfood industries. Online curriculum courses are offered via SISTEM Express Powered by Silliker, in partnership with Alchemy Systems, designed to help processsors meet Global Food Safety Initiative and other industry-specific compliance requirements.

PaperWorks invests in enhanced printing, packaging capabilities

PaperWorks Industries Inc., a full-service packaging provider, is enhancing its printing capabilities, with several packaging projects underway at locations across North America. PaperWorks installed a large-format Flexo press to increase production speed, enhance print quality and reduce waste, which is expected to be operational in spring of 2012.

Shipping costs to increase if longshoremen strike on East Coast US

The International Longshoremen's Association will likely go on strike at ports on the East Coast of the US beginning December 29, according to Global Development & Management LLC, a company that helps petfood manufacturers establish export markets. The company says negotiations through a dederal mediator are ongoing; however, the association is expected to call for a strike lasting a week to 10 days based on results from the previous port strike on the West Coast of the US.

Seating 80 percent sold for Global PETS Forum

Organizers of Global PETS Forum have announced that 80 percent of seating has been sold for the show, which will take place January 24-25, 2013, in Prague, Czech Republic. The event offers opportunities for networking with other industry members, professional speakers from inside and outside the pet industry, and more.

Halo petfood brand, Freekibble.com donate petfood to charities

Ellen DeGeneres’ petfood brand Halo, Freekibble.com and retailer Pet Supplies Plus recently donated 40,000 pounds of petfood to charities through its Holiday Kibble Drop. The Holiday Kibble Drop, a 14-stop tour across the US, donated 500,000 meals to animal shelters and rescues.

US, China extend agreement for animal feed safety

The US Food and Drug Administration renewed an agreement with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China to further cooperation between the US and China on food and animal feed safety. Originally signed in November 2008, the US and China have extended the agreement for five more years.

Central Garden & Pet reports strong pet segment in fiscal 2012

Central Garden & Pet Company reported financial results for the 14- and 53-week periods ended September 29, 2012, posting net sales of US$397.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, a 5 percent increase over the same period in fiscal 2011. Net sales rose thanks to strength in the company's pet segment, as well as an extra week in the quarter compared to 2011.

Chef Michael's petfood brand launches dog food truck sweepstakes

After the earlier launch of a food truck for dogs, Chef Michael’s petfood brand is launching a national sweepstakes to support building a dog-friendly food truck community. Food truck patrons can also enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a US$500 cash prize or coupon redeemable for free Chef Michael’s product.

Friskies cat food brand launches 'Catify Yourself' app

Friskies has launched a new "Catify Yourself" application that allows users to create, post and share photos of their friends and family as cats. The free "Catify Yourself" iPhone app lets users send photo messages to friends from their cat-like self.

Hill's Pet Nutrition to launch new petfood to fight pet obesity

Colgate-Palmolive, whose subsidiary Hill’s Pet Nutrition sells many petfoods to help pet owners manage clinical conditions like obesity, allergies, intestinal problems and more, is launching a new strategy, with new petfood lines, to save pets from the rising problem of obesity. As part of this strategy with health-focused foods and higher prices, the company is launching a petfood label made from natural ingredients, Science Diet Dry, at the end of 2012.

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