Pet Food Recalls: Page 37

Appeals court rules in class-action petfood lawsuit

A 3rd District US Court of Appeals ruled that a US$24 million class-action lawsuit settlement over melamine-contaminated petfood was a "fair, reasonable and adequate" deal, but sent the case back to a New Jersey district court judge for more information. The appeals court sent the case back to New Jersey US District Court Judge Noel Hillman, who originally approved the deal in November 2008, for more information supporting the purchase-claim limit of US$250,000.

Senate unanimously approves food-safety overhaul legislation

The Senate unanimously approved a food-safety overhaul bill that would give the US government greater authority to set and enforce safety standards for farmers and food processors. The legislation would affect nearly all whole and processed foods, including petfood, with the exceptions of meat, poultry and some egg products that are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture.

Kroger recalls select petfoods in 19 states

The Kroger Co. recalled select petfood packages in 19 states due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with aflatoxin, a chemical by-product from fungus that could be harmful to animals. The recall involves select bags of Pet Pride Cat Food, Pet Pride Kitten Food, Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food, Kroger Value Cat Food and Kroger Value Chunk Food.

Food safety legislation rides on US government funding bill

The US House of Representatives has tied major food safety legislation to a government funding bill for the Senate's consideration before Congress concludes its final session of 2010. The legislation would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to order a food recall and increase the frequency of its inspections.

Pet Food Recalls

Killing Salmonella in petfood

Petfood processors have become increasingly aware of the need to control Salmonella during production due to the risk of associated pet and human illness. Processors know how problematic this pathogen can be but may not fully understand the scientific dynamics surrounding effective elimination and potential for recontamination during processing based on heat resistance and persistence in low-moisture products such as petfood.

Ideally, validation of targeted process control points can be simulated in a laboratory setting so appropriate Salmonella strains could be used for the evaluation.

Pet Food Market

Something to Chew On: Petfood safety: what’s next

Food safety in the US seems to have taken a big step last month with passage of S. 510, also called the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010, which will also affect regulation of petfood. (Whether the step taken is forward or backward depends on your point of view regarding the bill and, possibly, legislation in general.)

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