Nutrition: Page 298

Petfood manufacturer Natural Balance sponsors Rose Bowl parade float

Petfood manufacturer Natural Balance sponsored a float in the 2013 Rose Bowl parade honoring military working dogs. The Rose Bowl parade, held in Pasadena, California, USA, featured the petfood maker's "Canines with Courage" float, on which four handlers and their dogs rode, representing the US Air Force, Army and Marines.

Wet, dry cat food study links diet preference to nutrient intake

New research from an experiment with wet and dry cat foods may explain the reason some cats are so picky about their petfood. The study, published in the Journal of Comparative Physiology B, offered different petfood options to cats.

Pet Food Market

Purrs and growls for petfood in 2012, opportunities for 2013

I know, at this time of year, everyone does one of these blog posts or columns trying to sum up the year for an industry or assign accolades and criticisms to entities within the industry. But as cliché as they may be, people tend to read such posts or columns, so I'll jump on the bandwagon and issue my "purrs and growls" for the petfood industry for 2012 and look ahead to opportunities for the coming year.

Pet Food Product Database

Van Drunen Farms Individually Quick Frozen ginger

Van Drunen Farms

US, China extend agreement for animal feed safety

The US Food and Drug Administration renewed an agreement with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China to further cooperation between the US and China on food and animal feed safety. Originally signed in November 2008, the US and China have extended the agreement for five more years.

Key nutrients in a pet's diet may boost immune system effectiveness

In a recent blog on petMD.com, Jennifer Coates, DVM, shares her knowledge in the field of immunonutrition, which deals with supplementing a pet’s diet with certain nutrients’ to boost the immune system’s effectiveness. The veterinarian says that the gastrointestinal tract is home to more than 65 percent of the body’s immune cells, which means optimal nutrition and a well-functioning immune system are important.

AFIA hosts seminar on petfood ingredient trade requirements

The American Feed Industry Association recently hosted its Import/Export Seminar, in Arlington, Virginia, USA, which provides opportunity for discussion and education on trade requirements for feed, petfood and ingredients. Key speaker Suzanne Heinen, administrator of the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, delivered an overview of the Foreign Agricultural Service, whose strategy, according to Heinen, is comprised of four criteria: trade policy, market development and export assistance, market intelligence and analysis, and international development.

Unveiling innovation: Petfood companies get growing in 2012

The top petfood companies around the globe aren't just pulling in impressive figures and extended space on retail shelves. Industry giants are constantly innovating by breaking new ground for facilities, expanding the market with new products and ingredients, and building business partnerships that strengthen investments.

To stay on the top of the kibble heap, petfood companies have been responding to consumers with new formulations, packaging and facilities focused on nutrition and safety.

Nutrition focus: Combating pet obesity

Obesity is an important disease with a growing incidence in the companion animal population. In the past decade, petfood companies have been formulating diets that are low-carb, high fiber, all protein, lean protein or calorie conscious, in hopes of wooing pet parents struggling to help their pets shed those extra pounds.

Dogs who lost weight in a recent study proved that their quality of life improved as their weight dropped. Animals experienced increased vitality and decreased emotional disturbance and pain.

AAFCO, FDA extend petfood, animal feed ingredients agreement

The Association of American Feed Control Officials and the US Food and Drug Administration have agreed to extend the organizations' Memorandum of Understanding until September 1, 2015. The American Feed Industry Association says it has worked with Congress, FDA and industry stakeholders to insert the AAFCO Official Publication into the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to counter the effects of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2007, which used the term “ingredient standards” and told FDA to develop rules for petfood ingredient standards.

AAFCO petfood ingredient definition process gets reprieve

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recently announced an extension of its memorandum of understanding with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the AAFCO process for establishing feed ingredient definitions (including for petfood) through September 1, 2015. The announcement came as a bit of a surprise.

Pet Food Ingredients

Record number of booths reserved for Petfood Forum 2013 in first 30 days

Within just a month of the exhibit space for Petfood Forum 2013 being offered, a record number of booths have already been reserved, promising an even more exciting edition of the petfood industry's leading conference in its 21st year. Petfood Forum 2013 will take place April 15-17 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, near Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Participants in Petfood Forum 2013 will be able to visit with nearly 200 exhibitors and industry suppliers.

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