Nutrition: Page 293

Dogs' digestive system health may improve with pine tree carbs, study finds

Dogs' digestive system health may be improved by consuming carbohydrates from pine trees, according to new collaborative studies by US Department of Agriculture, university and corporate scientists. The carbohydrates, known as GGMOs (galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides), are a by-product of treating wood chips that remain after trees are cut into lumber.

Guide to Petfood Forum China 2013

Pets are big business in China and getting bigger every year. Case in point: The 15th annual Pet Fair Asia, held October 2012 in Shangahi, broke all show records with almost 50,000 visitors over four days, plus more than 500 exhibitors from 25 countries.

The second annual Petfood Forum China will take place August 23 in Shanghai and again be co-located with Pet Fair Asia.

Japanese company stops sales of pet treats made from endangered whales

A Japanese company has stopped selling petfood made from endangered Icelandic fin whales after a campaign by conservation groups. Michinoku Farm was previously advertising jerky-like treats for dogs made from the endangered whales imported from Iceland.

Nutritional sustainability of petfoods

Sustainable practices meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Applying these concepts to food and feed production, nutritional sustainability is the ability of a food system to provide sufficient energy and essential nutrients required to maintain good health in a population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their nutritional needs.

US Senate rejects bioengineered food labeling amendment

On May 23, the US Senate rejected an amendment proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont that would have allowed states to require labels on food or beverages made with bioengineered ingredients. The amendment, which was rejected during a debate on the farm bill, would have made clear that states have the authority to require the labeling of foods produced through bioengineering.

Pet Food Market

What does latest big petfood company merger mean for the industry?

It's become almost a cliche to characterize the petfood and pet care markets as "recession resilient," but the fact is, these industries have weathered the strong economic headwinds of the past five years better than most consumer goods industries, with continued global annual growth of about 4%. That fact has not gone unnoticed by investment funds and the overall private equity community, as noted by Pets International magazine and Cascadia Capital, an independent investment bank that includes petfood and other pet product companies among its investments and transactions.

Biomin releases Mycotoxin Survey Program 2012 findings

Biomin released details on the distribution of mycotoxins according to region of origin and commodity type in its latest Mycotoxin Survey Program 2012. The survey confirmed that mycotoxins are a persistent problem around the world, with 82 percent of analyzed samples showing presence of at least one mycotoxin and more than one mycotoxin in 50 percent of the samples.

Market Trends and Reports

Calorie content declarations on petfood labels: What’s the best method?

As previously reported, recent amendments to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food will require calorie content statements on all dog and cat food labels within the next few years (the exact time frame for compliance is still to be determined). There currently are two AAFCO-accepted methods upon which to determine and report metabolizable energy (ME).

Natural/Organic Pet Food

Market update: The premium petfood shopper survives

According to Packaged Facts’ US Pet Market Outlook, 2012–2013, despite any money-saving tradeoffs pet owners may be making, premium products remain a fact of life in the US pet market, as do premium product shoppers. As of 2010, US households earning US$70,000 or more account for 51% of the aggregate pet market expenditure and Packaged Facts believes these consumers are footing the lion’s share of the bill for premium pet products.

Because thereâ€™s no set definition for â€œpremium,â€ itâ€™s difficult to say just how much of the market is premium, but Packaged Facts estimates that premium products account for approximately two-fifths of US pet product sales.

Pet Food Institute redesigns website for consumers, members

Pet Food Institute has redesigned its website, www.petfoodinstitute.org, which now features updated, consumer-friendly information, enhanced profiles for PFI members and improved functionality. For the public, the new site includes information on how petfood is made, ingredients that go into it, nutritionpetfood provides, safety practices companies must follow and more.

Petfood Forum China preview

The petfood market in China is poised to soar. Between 2000 and 2010, petfood sales in the country rose nearly 800%, according to Goumin.com, the largest online network for pet owners in China.

Petfood Forum China 2013 is scheduled for August 23 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

Meeting nutrient requirements in dog food production

Ingredient mixtures of industrially produced, complete canine foods can vary markedly, but still be equally good. Feeding of dogs should aim at supplying adequate amounts of nutrients in an available, palatable and safe form that supports a healthy and long life.

Dog Food Macronutrients Pet1306nutritiontable1

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