Pet Food Safety: Page 78

Chicken jerky treat lab analysis released in new FDA report

The US Food and Drug Administration issued the findings of a new report about complaints of pets suffering Fanconi syndrome-like symptoms or dying after consuming chicken jerky treats imported from China. FDA collected and tested nearly 300 jerky treat samples in the US from April 2007 through June 2012, testing for bacterial contamination, mold, chemicals and heavy metals.

Petfood safety: Fortify weak links in your supply chain

As the former director of both the US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, I have seen my share of pet and human food outbreaks caused by defective supply chains. In 2007, the largest petfood recall in history resulted from a single ingredient—wheat gluten—that had been intentionally adulterated with melamine for economic gains.

Even if you are fully confident in your supply chain to provide safe and wholesome products, how certain are you that there will not be disruptions when the new Food Safety Modernization Act takes effect?

FDA improves Reportable Food Registry to enhance food safety

The US Food and Drug Administration has added a Rational Questionnaire incorporating additional data elements to its Reportable Food Registry, in an effort to improve the registry's information gathering capabilities and enhance food safety. The Reportable Food Registry is an electronic portal for industry, including petfood industry members such as petfood and treat manufacturers, to report when there is reasonable probability that an article of food will cause serious adverse health consequences, allowing FDA to track patterns in animal feed and petfood and target inspections.

CDC confirms 49 human Salmonella illnesses from recalled petfood

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that at least 49 people have been sickened since October 2011 from a Salmonella infantis outbreak linked to recalled petfood made at Diamond Pet Foods' manufacturing facility in Gaston, South Carolina, USA. In its final outbreak update, CDC increased the number of human Salmonella cases from 22, in its previous update on June 13, to at least 49 cases linked to the recalled dog food and cat food.

Sensient Colors receives food safety, management certification

Sensient Colors LLC, provider of colorings for petfood applications, recently achieved Safe Quality Food 2000 Level 3 certification, making the company able to offer its custom color solutions manufactured under highest levels of safety and quality management standards. Sensient has received third-party certification for risk management plans, manufacturing and distribution, as well as application of comprehensive assessment, screening and analytical testing programs for raw materials and finished products.

Consumer groups urge government action on food safety legislation

Ten consumer groups are urging the Obama administration to act on parts of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which gives the US Food and Drug Administration more control over food and petfood imports and the authority to set new petfood safety standards to prevent contamination. FDA regulations needed to fully carry out the Food Safety Modernization Act have been under review since December 2011 by the Office of Management and Budget, and consumer groups say there has been no explanation for the delay.

Canidae unveils new natural petfood manufacturing facility

Canidae Natural Pet Food Company unveiled its new petfood manufacturing facility named Ethos Pet Nutrition, located in Brownwood, Texas, USA. In March 2011, the company purchased an existing extrusion plant and has spent the last year "...completely re-building the facility to be the most modern natural petfood plant of its kind," according to director of operations, Frank Hon.

Nature's Variety recalls kibble dog food variety for 'off-odor' smell

Nature’s Variety petfood brand is recalling its Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for dogs due to an "off-odor" smell that may develop over time. The company says the product is not contaminated in any way, but some products are not remaining fresh for the shelf life of the product.

Nutro Company granted first AFIA petfood manufacturing certificates

Eurofins Scientific Inc., an independent third-party auditor, has issued the first three Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program certificates to petfood manufacturer Nutro Co. This voluntary facility certification program, created by the American Feed Industry Association and third-party food safety experts, is designed specifically for companies manufacturing petfood or petfood ingredients.

AFIA submits comments to FDA on Food Safety Modernization Act

The American Feed Industry Association submitted comments to the docket to the US Food and Drug Administration regarding the agency’s information collection activities as related to upcoming Food Safety Modernization Act implementation. The comments explained that many American Feed Industry Association members consider their quality assurance programs and food safety plans as proprietary and confidential.

PMI Nutrition recalls small animal, bird food

PMI Nutrition International has initiated a voluntary recall of select varieties of the Aquamax, LabDiet and Mazuri animal feed products, due to the potential for an elevated vitamin D level in these products. The products recalled by PMI include Aquamax, LabDiet and Mazuri foods for small birds, guinea pigs, wolves, primates, aquatic species and other exotic animals.

Premium petfood manufacturer establishes new lab in Malta

Petnutrition, a premium petfood manufacturer, is establishing a new research and development laboratory in Malta that will also upgrade the petfood company's quality control processes. The laboratory will be operated by a new company, Petnutrition R&D, and will be responsible for the analysis of the entire product range of wet and dry petfoods, supplements and oils.

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