News & Newsletters: Page 723

Hill’s Pet Nutrition integrates new petfood packaging closure technology

Petfood manufacturer Hill’s Pet Nutrition has partnered with Velcro Industries to integrate its Press-Lok closure technology into its Science Diet petfood packaging. The Press-Lok closure, designed to be more consumer friendly, has an alignment that allows the hooks to engage without precise lineup.

South African petfood industry shows potential for manufacturers

South African pet owners spend nearly ZAR5 billion (US$550.7 million) per year on petfood for dogs, cats and other pets, according to Pet Food Industry Association of South Africa. Just 20 percent of the country’s dogs and 35 percent of cats are fed with commercial petfood from about 200 brands available, says the association’s executive director, Barry Hundley, which means many opportunities exist here for petfood manufacturers.

Royal Canin survey looks at factors influencing petfood, pet choice

In a recent survey, petfood manufacturer Royal Canin set out to determine America's favorite breeds, uncover how "dog people" differ from "cat people," factors that come into play when choosing a pet and what influences pet owners' petfood choices. The survey found that more than 55 percent of cat owners rank appearance as the most important factor when choosing a feline friend, while nearly 62 percent of dog owners look at size when choosing a dog.

Kemin introduces new low-fat petfood palatability enhancers

To overcome palatability and stability challenges associated with low-fat petfood diets, Kemin launched PALFRESH, a portfolio of palatability enhancers with additional antioxidant protection. Low-fat petfood diets have a unique stability challenge because they include less topical fat, which is where antioxidants are typically added to stabilize the kibble.

New Pet Industry Sustainability Coalition seeks industry members

A natural pet product company and consulting company have joined forces to form the Pet Industry Sustainability Coalition. The sustainability coalition seeks to promote sustainable progress in the pet industry. The coalition's three-part approach includes: • Identifying businesses' sustainability needs and developing collaborative innovation to meet those needs.

Companion animal session to be offered at Alltech Symposium

Members of the pet industry can gain practical knowledge from the companion animal session being offered at Glimpse2020, the 29th annual Alltech International Symposium, taking place in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, May 19-22. The session features a lineup of presenters, including Debbie Phillips Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, as well as veterinarians, corporate leaders and researchers representing companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Champion Petfoods and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.

Children with autism benefit from pets, research shows

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative released new research showing how pets can help children with autism, after new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show one in 50 US children has autism spectrum disorder. HABRI's research found that social behaviors increase in children with autism in the presence of animals compared to toys.

Petfood Forum 2013 app available

Petfood professionals attending Petfood Forum April 15-17 and Petfood Workshop: World of Ingredients April 17-18 can download an app to help them plan and navigate their time during the conferences and share it on social networks. The app, available at m.magtogo.com/petfoodforum, is free to registered participants.

The Petfood Forum/Petfood Workshop app allows you to search for speakers and exhibitors, schedule sessions and more.

Bravo! recalls three raw petfood diet products for dogs, cats

Raw petfood maker Bravo! is recalling three of its raw diet frozen foods for dogs and cats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall includes the following petfood products, with product size and name; product item code; and "best used by" dates:

Biomin launches Mycotoxin Risk Management app

Biomin has launched the Mycotoxin Risk Management app, a new application that allow instant access to worldwide data on mycotoxin occurrence and information on the possible risks resulting from mycotoxins. The new Mycotoxin Risk Management app is optimized for all iOS (Apple) and Android smartphones and tablets, available in the iOS App Store and on Google Play.

Biomin has launched a new mobile Mycotoxin Risk Management app.

Stella & Chewy's petfood safety process granted patent

Stella & Chewy's, a freeze-dried petfood manufacturer, received an official patent for its food safety process (Patent No. 838317 B2), invented by the petfood company's founder and chairman, Marie Moody, and food safety scientist, Dr. James Marsden. This patent was granted for the food safety process that combines high-pressure processing with an environmental pathogen-reducing treatment system, which continually sanitizes food-contact surfaces with cleansing plasma, safely and effectively destroying environmental pathogenic bacteria.

Report on market for other petfood in Saudi Arabia released

The market for other petfood in Saudi Arabia remains weak due to lack of interest from the local population and a subsequent lack of activity from petfood manufacturers, according to a new report. Euromonitor International's Other Pet Food in Saudi Arabia report said 2011's volume and current value growth rates of 6 percent and 12 percent, respectively, were below the review period compound annual growth rates of 7 percent and 14 percent.

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