News & Newsletters: Page 793

Market Trends and Reports

Food truck for dogs comes to Chicago, USA

On May 7, a new food truck for dogs will hit the streets of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The truck, called Fido To Go, sells ice cream and baked cookie treats for dogs.

Packaged Facts: US pet market outlook strong for 2011-2012

A report released by Packaged Facts on the US pet market found that despite slow growth due to the recession in 2010, sales of petfood and pet products are expected to increase at a faster rate in 2011 and 2012. The report, “U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2011-2012,” looks at US pet market retail sales and trends overall and in four core categories: veterinary services, petfood, non-food pet supplies and non-medical pet services.

IML packaging may be successful for petfood manufacturers

Belgian printing company Verstraete says that the humanization of pets has led to success in IML packaging for petfood manufacturers. IML, or "in mold labeling," is a technique in which a preprinted polypropylene label is placed in a mold that is shaped like the end product.

Nutro Co. to host dog park enhancement project in May

The Nutro Co. will hold its Room to Run Dog Park Appreciation Project in May, to enhance dog parks in 30 cities across the US and Canada. Most of the Room to Run projects will take place on Saturday, May 7, with one scheduled for Sunday, May 15 and another’s date not yet determined.

WellPet plans expansion, job creation at Indiana, USA, facility

WellPet announced plans to nearly double its size in terms of both people and space at the petfood maker's plant by the end of 2012. The company will begin construction on a 67,946-square-foot facility in its current Mishawaka, Indiana, USA, location, which will serve as a warehouse/distribution center, according to Steve Griswold, director of plant operations.

Report: Diabetes rising among US pets

Diabetes is on the rise among pets, according to a national analysis of pet health recently released. The 2011 "State of Pet Health" report is based on data from more than 2.5 million dogs and cats that visited Banfield Pet Hospital facilities in 43 states.

Dog breed study results helpful in creating breed-specific diets

A study recently released by the University of Georgia provides a comprehensive look at the causes of death in more than 80 dog breeds, which can be used as a basis for creating breed-specific petfood diets to manage health. The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, examined data from the Veterinary Medical Database to determine the cause of death for nearly 75,000 dogs from 82 breeds over a 20-year period, from 1984 through 2004.

Japanese Nisshin Petfood reports sales decline in fiscal 2011

The Japanese Nisshin Seifun Group reported its consolidated financial results for the first six months of the fiscal year, ending March 2011. The company reported a 7.8% decrease in net sales over the same period in fiscal 2010, to ¥ 209.16 billion (US$2.54 billion).

Cargill granted US patent for petfood cooking process

Cargill was granted a US patent for the exclusive cooking process it developed for making its Loyall premium petfood. Cargill's Opti-Cook process, for which the patent was granted, works by using a combined steam and pressure cooking system and Near-Infrared Reflective Spectroscopy technology.

Dog food maker replaces plastic containers with paper for Earth Day

Dynamite Specialty Products is replacing the plastic containers used for packaging its dog food with paper-craft bags in celebration of the upcoming Earth Day, on Friday, April 22. Beginning in late Spring, bags for smaller products will be made of recyclable paper, sewn at the top and have a moisture-grease barrier that is sprayed on as a liner.

GRAPAS Conference cancelled, Victam feed conferences registration deadline extended

The GRAPAS Conference, scheduled to take place May 5, has been canceled, while the registration deadline for the feed conferences taking place during Victam and FIAAP 2011 was extended to April 25. Organizers of the tradeshows stress that the GRAPAS trade show, Victam, FIAAP, and all related conferences and events will still take place as scheduled in Cologne, Germany.

Market Trends and Reports

Natural Balance adds Platefulls cat pouches to petfood offerings

Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. announced that the company will add Platefulls cat pouches to its petfood offerings in May. The Platefulls pouches come in eight, grain-free formulas, including four indoor varieties and four regular formulas.

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