News & Newsletters: Page 807

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.

Market Trends and Reports

Global Pet Expo 2011 sets records in attendance, new pet products introduced

The American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributors Association announced that Global Pet Expo 2011 exceeded 2010's record-setting numbers in nearly every aspect with thousands of new pet products introduced, and a record number of booths, exhibiting companies and buyers attending the show. Global Pet Expo 2011 took place March 16-18, in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Petfood companies and exhibitors showed off the latest pet products on the floor of Global Pet Expo 2011.

FDA to host public meeting on Food Safety Modernization Act

The US Food and Drug Administration will host a public meeting on the recently enacted Food Safety Modernization Act, allowing those interested to discuss implementing preventative controls in petfood facilities. The meeting, "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Focus on Preventative Controls for Factilites," will give FDA the chance to discuss information on preventative controls used by facilities to identify and address hazards associated with specific types of food and specific processes.

Petco becomes first US chain retailer to offer Holistic Select petfood

Petco announced it will become the first and only national retailer to sell Holistic Select petfood at its retail stores. Previously, Holistic Select was only sold in pet specialty stores, but it will now be available in all Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores.

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