Pet Food Safety: Page 85

Chicken jerky treats from China may sicken dogs, FDA warns

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners to be award of chicken jerky products from China that may be associated with reports of Fanconi-like syndrome in dogs. In its alert to dog owners, FDA says chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are only intended to be fed occasionally, in small quantities.

FDA says petfood Salmonella testing is 'routine'

A spokeswoman for the US Food and Drug Administration says media coverage of a recent FDA announcement that it will sample petfood, pet treats and supplements for possible Salmonella contamination has been misleading to pet owners. Laura Alvey, a spokeswoman in FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said the focus on Salmonella in petfood was planned as a part of FDA's fiscal 2012 assignments.

Common artificial sweetener can kill dogs, FDA warns

A common artificial sweetener found in sugar-free baked goods, candy, oral hygiene products and chewing gum can be deadly if ingested by a dog, the US Food and Drug Administration warns. The ingredient, Xylitol, can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia), seizures and liver failure in dogs, which may lead to death, according to FDA.

Pet Food Safety

Petfood petition sent to White House

In late October, a consumer advocate started a petition on the “We the People” page of the White House website (www.whitehouse.gov). The petition requests that the Obama Administration instruct the US Food and Drug Administration to enforce a strict interpretation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) as it pertains to suitability of ingredients for use in petfood or, lacking that, require a label disclaimer on all petfoods that do not meet the standards as set forth by the exact verbiage in the law.

Illinois, USA, petfood manufacturer accused of 23 violations by US safety group

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration found 23 violations at an Illinois, USA, petfood manufacturer, the Chicago Tribune reported. According to OSHA, petfood company All-Feed Processing and Packaging Inc. exposed its workers to high levels of dust and excessive noise, and used trucks powered by liquid propane in areas where combustible dust was present.

FDA now testing petfood, pet treats for Salmonella

The US Food and Drug Administration has started to test petfood for Salmonella contamination to prevent pet owners from getting sick by handling the petfood. In October 2011, FDA investigators began taking samples of dry petfood, pet treats and pet diet supplements from distributors, wholesalers and retailers such as PetSmart, Petco, WalMart, Costco, Sam's Club and Target.

Market Trends and Reports

Preview: Petfood Forum Asia 2012

Petfood sales in Asia grew 4% in 2010, about the same growth rate as the global petfood market, according to Euromonitor International. While that rate represents a slowdown from previously robust increases, growth has been steady in Asia, no small feat after several years of a stagnant or declining global economy.

Petfood Forum Asia 2012 will take place February 16 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Thailand.

New ISO standard on traceability of fish products to improve food safety

A new ISO standard on the traceability of finfish products, ingredients often used in dog and cat food formulas, is expected to improve food safety by supplying stakeholders throughout the supply chain with accurate information about the origin and nature of these products. The new standard, ISO 12875:2011, Traceability of finfish products - Specification on the information to be recorded in captured finfish distribution chains, specifies the information to be recorded in marine-captured finfish supply chains in order to establish traceability.

NASC Adverse-Event Reporting System minimizes pet, human contamination risks

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a recall on October 6 for Salmonella contamination in Thumb Oilseed’s soy flour, which is used to manufacture certain animal foods. But, the National Animal Supplement Council's ability to scan thousands of products and ingredients in its NASC Adverse-Event Reporting System allowed NASC to identify 27 products containing soy flour and notify the eight companies selling these products with specific instructions on how to check the ingredient with raw material suppliers.

Pet Food Market

Does consumers' willingness to pay for improved food safety apply to petfood?

A recent study by Kevin Haninger and James Hammitt of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis shows US consumers would be willing to spend US$4,500-6,000 to prevent each case of short-term illness caused by contaminated food. Reported in the October edition of FSMeDigest from Food Safety Magazine, the study started with the seemingly simple goal of examining the "monetary value that consumers place on a safer food supply," the authors wrote.

FDA deputy commissioner to speak at Petfood Forum 2012

Michael R. Taylor, JD, deputy commissioner of foods for the US Food and Drug Administration, has been confirmed as a main speaker for Petfood Forum 2012. With responsibility for the safety of all food in the US, Taylor is spearheading implementation of the new Food Safety Modernization Act and will address how petfood safety fits into the overall food safety picture, plus similarities and differences between human food and petfood safety.

Pet Food Market

Virtual Petfood Forum: All you need to know about FSMA and petfood safety -- and it's free

The US Food and Drug Administration is working hard -- and partnering with both the human food and petfood industries -- to meet deadlines and develop regulations and policies in adherence to the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in January 2011. The new regulations and rules will include ones encompassing petfood, some for the first time, and the law's deadlines mean many will go into effect within the next year or so.

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