Pet Food Safety: Page 54

Pet Food Regulations

Petfood industry responds to FSMA proposed rule for animal food

Even before the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) was enacted back on January 4, 2011, the petfood industry was very well aware that sweeping reforms were coming about. The most important (to us) would be the proposed rule governing animal feed. We were also very well aware that we, as the petfood industry, would have an opportunity to respond to the proposed rules in an effort to help FDA create the most effective regulations possible to help our industry continue to make safe petfood.

PFI members formed teams of experts organized by subject matter in order to study and evaluate specific sections of the human food rule in anticipation of publication of the proposed rule for animal food.

Pet Food Market

Petfood Forum 2015 calls for papers and posters announced

Petfood Forum 2015 is seeking noncommercial abstracts on pet nutrition, the petfood market, petfood safety, processing, marketing, new product development

Pet Food Market

Foreign petfood brands likely to benefit from China jerky treat issue

Chinese pet owners spent RMB7.84 billion (US$1.25 billion) on pet care in 2012, according to Euromonitor, and this number is predicted to rise 64% by 2017, to RMB12.9 billion (US$2.06 billion). The majority of these sales take place in independent pet shops, though chain stores and e-commerce sites have made significant market inroads.

Hill's Pet Nutrition recalling Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed dry dog food

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is voluntarily recalling 62 bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed dry dog food due to possible Salmonella contamination. The bags were part of a single-production run that was accidentally distributed to 17 veterinary clinic and pet store customers in California, Hawaii and Nevada, according to the company.

Pet Food Safety

Nestle Purina, Waggin' Train create jerky treat fund to compensate dog owners

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC will create a US$6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed by chicken and other jerky treats made in China and sold by the companies. If approved, the settlement would also require Nestle Purina to undertake “enhanced quality assurance measures” regarding pet treats made in China and to modify language on its packaging.

Pet Food Safety

Update on chicken jerky treats

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided updated information on the continuing saga of suspected contamination of "jerky"-type dog treats, primarily made from chicken and typically manufactured in China. Coincidentally, at least two major pet retailers have recently announced their commitments to stop selling pet treats manufactured in China.

Wenger to host Pet Food Processing Technology Seminar in September

Wenger Manufacturing will host its annual three-day Pet Food Processing Technology Seminar on September 9–11, 2014, in Sabetha, Kansas. The course, which includes both classroom and hands-on training, will be held at Wenger Technical Center, and is open to all plant management, operations and maintenance personnel involved in the petfood industry.

Pet Center Inc. recalls Lamb Crunchy's dog treats

Pet Center Inc. of California, USA, has issued a recall for Lamb Crunchy’s dog treats due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled products are sold in 3-ounce bags of Lamb Crunchy’s dog treats (LAM-003) with UPC number 727348200038 and date code 122015.

Pet Food Market

Zuke’s pet products proudly ‘Made in the USA’

Following recent announcements by Petco and PetSmart that the retailers will discontinue sales of pet products made in China, Zuke’s Performance Pet Nutrition has issued a statement reassuring customers that its products are “Made in the USA,” with one new product line made in New Zealand. According to the company: “Zuke’s proudly manufactures in the United States and recently added manufacturing capacity in New Zealand for our Genuine Jerky, a[n] ultra-premium jerky treat.

Frozen rodents sold as reptile food linked to Salmonella

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about some frozen rodents sold as reptile food that have been linked to Salmonella. A total of 37 people have become ill with Salmonella infections after handling frozen “feeder rodents” sold at PetSmart stores, according to FDA’s warning.

Global GMO Free Coalition launched

The Global GMO Free Coalition launched on May 20, 2014, bringing together GMO Free groups across six continents with a partner membership of more than 4.5 million people. The Global GMO Free Coalition, with more than 60 partner organizations, is the first globally coordinated network to address the genetically modified (GM) food and crop industry in both the media and in public and government advocacy areas.

Petco to stop sales of China-made dog and cat treats

Petco will stop carrying China-made dog and cat treats at its more than 1,300 store locations nationwide, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com, by the end of 2014.

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