Pet Food Safety: Page 60

TraceGains to host FSMA webinar on December 13

TraceGains will present a webinar on December 13 at 12 p.m. EDT, entitled, "Preparing for FSMA's Animal Food/Feed Rule." The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will make the industry subject to mandatory Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and a new preventive controls program under this new rule (section 103 of FSMA for animal food facilities that must register under section 415 of FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 350d, to establish and implement a food safety system that includes a hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls).

Study from FDA warns pet owners to avoid raw petfood diets

A new study from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that compared to other types of petfood tested, raw petfood was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. As a result, FDA is warning pet owners who feed pets a raw diet that they may be at a greater risk for infections from Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Facebook group warning pet owners not to buy jerky treats from China

A Facebook group called Animal Parents Against Pet Treats and Food Made in China is warning pet owners about jerky treats from China that are under investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration. The group is attaching warnings to packages of these treats in stores that read: “Beware! FDA investigates pet treats from CHINA. Thousands of complaints filed. Hundreds of deaths reported.”

Bailey's Choice expands chicken dog treats recall in Georgia, USA

Bailey's Choice Dog Treats LLC of Waleska, Georgia, USA, is expanding its earlier recall of select packages of chicken dog treats due to potential Salmonella contamination, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The recall was expanded to include 5-ounce packages of the following treats:

Pet Food Regulations

AAFCO Official Publication goes online

Any petfood manufacturer distributing product in the US needs to be familiar with the contents of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Official Publication (OP) to formulate and label products to be in compliance with the regulations of most states. As mentioned in my October Petfood Industry column, an online version of the OP is now available.

Bailey's Choice Dog Treats issues recall of chicken treats for possible Salmonella contamination

Bailey's Choice Dog Treats LLC of Waleska, Georgia, USA, is recalling packages of dog treats due to possible Salmonella contamination, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The company is recalling packages of chicken treats in various size packages marked with lot number #132881 and expiration date February 2014, as well as 5-ounce bags of chicken jerky treats with a lot number of "Jun 5 2013."

Pet Food Safety

Petfood safety purrs and growls for 2013

The recent release of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) caps a year of news, progress, regress and concerns about petfood safety in the US, making this a fitting time to assign accolades and criticisms to entities and people involved.

Pet Food Market

Release of FSMA petfood preventive control rule had curious timing

It would be a stretch to say that US petfood manufacturers welcomed last week's release, finally, of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Complying to the new regulations, once the final version is released next year, will require significant investments by some manufacturers. Yet after months--actually, years--of waiting to see these specific rules that apply to feed and petfood, at least the industry finally knows exactly what it's facing.

Register for free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar on November 22

Register for the free webinar, Microbiological Diagnostics Validation - the information that you really need to know, which will be held Friday, November 22 at 9 a.m. CT. This webinar will focus on the information and challenges involved with the selection and validation of microbiological diagnostic platforms for the detection of bacterial pathogens (Salmonella) in petfood ingredients, the processing environment and finished products.

The free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar will be presented by Trouw Nutrition on November 22.

FDA issues proposed preventative control rules for petfood, animal feed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 25 issued the proposed rule on Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. The regulations would apply to all domestic and imported animal feed, including petfood and treats, and the raw ingredients in those products.

Pet Food Market

Reaction to jerky pet treat report proves consumers are still wary, worried

The US Food an Drug Administration (FDA)'s release this week of an update on the investigation into illnesses related to chicken jerky pet treats really blew up on the Internet and social media. While one of FDA's intentions in issuing the update was to ask veterinarians for information on such illnesses they have treated, what mainstream and social media seized on and emphasized were the numbers: more than 3,000 complaints, over 3,600 dogs affected (plus 10 cats) and more than 580 deaths.

Market Trends and Reports

Food & Water Watch responds to FDA update on jerky pet treat investigation

Food & Water Watch, a group whose goal is to ensure sustainable and safe food for consumption, issued a statement following the October 22 release of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s update to its investigation into pet illnesses and jerky treats from China. According to Food & Water Watch: "[October 22], the Food and Drug Administration posted a long-awaited update on the agency’s investigation into unsafe imported pet treats and illnesses in dogs linked to these treats.

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