News & Newsletters: Page 767

Nestle Purina increases first-quarter 2012 pet product sales

Petfood manufacturer Nestlé Purina Pet Care increased its first-quarter fiscal 2012 global pet product sales by 7.7 percent to CHF 2.545 billion (US$2.8 billion). According to the petfood company's financial statement, Purina experienced double-digit growth in North and South America during the quarter thanks to strong performances in the Friskies, Purina ONE Beyond and Beneful Baked Delights brands.

FDA publishes Food, Veterinary Medicine Program Strategic Plan 2012-2016

The US Food and Drug Administration published the final draft of its “Food and Veterinary Medicine Program Strategic Plan 2012-2016,” which guides the administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine on petfood safety under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The administration's strategic plan aims to implement legislative mandates of the Food Safety Modernization Act, in which Congress requires the Food and Drug Administration to create a new food safety system.

Canidae Natural Pet Food Co. unveils new manufacturing facility

Canidae Natural Pet Food Company announced its unveiling of a new petfood manufacturing facility named Ethos Pet Nutrition located in Brownwood, Texas, USA. In March 2011, the petfood company purchased an existing extrusion plant and, according to director of operations, Frank Hon, spent the last year "...completely re-building the facility to be the most modern natural pet food plant of its kind."

Petfood brand Nutrish invests in sustainable forestry

In celebration of Earth Day, petfood brand Rachel Ray Nutrish is asking consumers to tell them how they celebrate Earth Day. The petfood company's Earth Day campaign asks consumers to share their Earth Day celebration on the Nutrish Facebook page.

Nestle Purina sued by pet owner over chicken jerky dog treats

Nestle Purina Petcare Co. is being sued by a man from Chicago, Illinois, USA, who claims his dog died from eating the petfood manufacturer's Waggin’ Train dog treats. According to a complaint filed in a Chicago federal court, Dennis Adkins says his 9-year-old Pomeranian became sick and died of kidney failure as a result of eating Waggin' Train's "Yam Good" chicken-wrapped treats.

Solid Gold donates most petfood ever to SPCA of Connecticut, USA

Solid Gold Health Products for Pets made the largest donation of petfood ever in Connecticut, USA, the company said, donating 43,375 pounds of Sun Dancer dry dog food to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Connecticut animal shelter. In total, Solid Gold donated US$1 million worth of dog food to 15 animal rescue organizations across the country.

FDA releases high-risk food facility criteria under FSMA

The Food and Drug Administration recently released its criteria for classifying high-risk food facilities that will require more frequent inspections under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The administration's two main classifying criteria are known safety risks of foods, such as related Class 1 recalls and illness outbreaks, and the facility's compliance history.

'Petfood Industry' launches Kindle Fire app

A new app provides mobile access to Petfood Industry issues, articles, news and products for users of the Kindle Fire, joining apps for iPhones, iPads and Android smartphones. Like the existing apps, the new Kindle Fire app allows users to explore Petfood Industry content via a library of monthly issues, and within each issue, in a navigator mode to peruse individual articles.

A new app for the Kindle Fire provides mobile access to Petfood Industry issues, articles, news and products.

Merrick acquires natural, organic petfood company Castor & Pollux

Merrick Pet Care Inc. signed an agreement to acquire Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks, a privately held natural and organic petfood company based in Oregon, USA. Although specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, Merrick Pet Care says the acquisition of Castor & Pollux further advances its key growth strategies of expanding the company’s brands in the super-premium petfood segment and allows for greater utilization of its manufacturing facilities located in Hereford, Texas, USA.

Illinois, USA petfood ingredient manufacturer fined by OSHA

Petfood ingredient manufacturer All-Feed Processing & Packaging Inc. was found in civil contempt of court for failing to allow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to inspect its Galva, Illinois, USA, facility from May 4-July 5, 2011. The manufacturer was fined US$31,000 for contempt and US$10,964.95 in attorney's fees by Senior District Judge Joe Billy McDade of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois for failing to allow inspections at its petfood packaging and research facility.

Market Trends and Reports

Gourmet tea company creates herbal tea blend for dogs

California Tea House, a family-owned, gourmet tea company, created what it says is the first-ever herbal tea blend for dogs. Machu's Blend Tea for Dogs is named after the family's Great Dane and company mascot, Machu Picchu.

Machu's Blend is an herbal tea blend for dogs.

Precision Color Graphics certified for petfood pouch compostability

Precision Color Graphics Ltd., a petfood packaging company, earned Biodegradable Products Institute certification for its Ecoterah petfood pouches and bags. The Ecoterah multi-layer pouches and bags for petfood can contain several paper layers, a water-based adhesive and a biopolymer sealant.

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