News & Newsletters: Page 821

Sedona, Arizona, USA hotel caters to both pets and their owners

El Portal opened in Sedona, Arizona,USA, as a bed and breakfast hotel catering to both guests and their canine companions. El Portal's owners, Steve and Connie Segner, built this twelve room hotel with Southwestern design, 18-inch thick handmade adobe walls, wood trim and natural native stone.

Eurofins responds to changes in US food safety legislation

Eurofins commented on the recently passed, US Food Safety Modernization Act, with praise of the bill's increased regulation as well as an offering of the company's services to help food processors and petfood manufacturers comply with the changes. The main highlights and implications of the bill in the petfood industry include mandatory risk prevention plans for all handlers and processors of food; required updates to the Foodborne Contaminant list every two years; mandatory measures for traceability, sanitation and testing performed by accredited laboratories; more animal feed products required to meet food safety standards; and foreign supplier verification programs required for US food importers.

Natura to sponsor Super Pet Expo shows in 2011

Super Pet Expo announced that Natura Pet Products will sponsor its 2011 US pet shows. The 2011 sponsorship marks the eighth consecutive year that Natura has partnered with Super Pet Expo.

Launch of Milburns brand petfood brings success for online UK retailer

Petsupermarket.co.uk, an online retailer, recorded its busiest ever month following the launch of its Milburns brand of pet products. Although this is the first time the retailer has marketed its own brand, Milburns petfood already sold out four times and sold four metric tons in its first month.

Michigan, USA, man charged with embezzlement from Wysong Corp.

Walter J. Reynolds of Bay City, Michigan, USA, is accused of embezzling more than US$100,000 from petfood producer, Wysong Corp., according to mlive.com. Reynolds, 27, was charged Tuesday, Jan. 4, with three counts of embezzlement less than US$20,000, a five-year felony.

Kaytee Products chooses recyclable packaging for natural petfood line

When Kaytee Products Inc. launched Nature’s Benefits, a natural petfood line for birds and small animals, the company used vibrant graphics and sustainable packaging to make the products stand out. Kaytee’s design agency, Directions Inc., came up with the concept of using the emotional bond consumers and their pets have to market the petfood line on store shelves, through cartoon artwork with natural colors and muted tones.

Buhler releases results of 2010 customer satisfaction survey

Buhler Inc. has announced the results of its annual customer satisfaction survey, with the categories of understanding customers, consulting competence, providing valid solutions and project management receiving the highest rankings. Overall, for 2010 Buhler received a customer service index rating of 8.11 on a 10-point scale, where "10" represents "extremely satisfied." The national average is 7.80, the company says.

Obama to sign legislation for improved US food safety regulation

President Barack Obama is expected to sign this week a US$1.4 billion overhaul of the US food safety system, which gives the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to increase inspections at food processing plants and forces companies, including petfood manufacturers, to recall tainted products. Congress passed the bill in December 2010, in response to a series of outbreaks of E. coli and Salmonella contamination.

Five Argentinean petfood plants approved for export to China

The Chinese health service AQSIQ certified 12 Argentinean plants, including five petfood manufacturers, to export production to China. The measure was officially confirmed by AQSIQ in a note to Jorge Amaya, president of the Argentine National Health Service and Food Quality (SENASA), according to local authorities.

High level of toxins in corn grains blamed for Kroger petfood recall

Tennessee Department of Agriculture and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators found elevated levels of the toxic substance aflatoxin in some corn grains to blame for the Kroger Co. petfood recall in late December 2010. "We took finished samples and grain samples that were stored and used to make petfood," said Tom Womack, spokesman for the Tennessee, USA, Department of Agriculture.

AFIA commends FDA on Compliance Policy Guide for Salmonella in petfood

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) filed comments on December 31, 2010, supporting the US Food and Drug Administration’s updated Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) Sec. 690.800 on Salmonella in animal feed, including petfood. FDA created CPGs to direct its field staff who regulate compliance policies for animal feed or feed ingredients contaminated with Salmonella as well as products that come into direct contact with humans, such as petfood.

Stella & Chewy's, shortbread treats among top 10 dog products of 2010

Dog News Daily has released its "Top 10 Dog Products" for 2010, and the list includes Stella & Chewy's Chicken Freeze Dried Dinner and Shortbread Cookies, a dog treat from Exclusively Pet.

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