Safety & Quality: Page 139

AAFCO unveils petfood regulation website

The Association of American Feed Control Officials unveiled its new website, “The Business of Pet Food," which was developed to address frequently asked questions about US petfood regulatory requirements. The site, www.petfood.aafco.org, includes explanations and links to resources from the states and US government with information about registration and licensing, ingredient listing, labeling requirements and laboratories and analyses.

Importer, consumer costs expected to increase with new FDA fees

In August, the US Food and Drug Administration announced plans to implement “re-examination” fees under the recently enacted Food Safety Modernization Act from importers who fail to comply with requirements materially related to food safety. Set to go into effect on October 1, the new fee structure will create additional costs and fees for both importers and consumers, according to Benjamin England, CEO of FDAImports.com and a former FDA employee.

Pet Food Safety

At Walmart, petfood safety equals behavior

Food safety is no small enterprise. As Frank Yiannas, VP of food safety for Walmart, describes, thousands of professionals around the world have been trained, millions are spent on research, countless inspections are done at home and abroad—and yet, food safety remains a significant global health challenge.

Frank Yiannas, VP of food safety for Walmart (with Tippy), believes that enhancing food safety benefits all petfood manufacturers, retailers, customers and, most importantly, pets.

Contaminated petfood may sicken pets, humans, veterinarian warns

In the last few years, an increasing number of petfoods and pet treats have been recalled due to Salmonella contamination concerns, showing it is not just human food that is subject to food poisoning. In a New York Times article, a veterinarian at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that petfood contaminated with Salmonella can sicken not only pets that consume it but also humans that handle the petfood.

Pet Food Safety

The science and safety of petfood palatability enhancers

Palatability enhancers, as the name indicates, are used to affect taste, smell and texture of petfoods to increase their desirability to companion animals. Palatability is critical for manufacturers to consider when formulating a nutritionally balanced petfood.

Many palatability enhancers are tested for efficacy through controlled feeding studies that measure data such as first-bite preference and total consumption.

Merrick recalls Doggie Wishbone treats due to Salmonella

Merrick Pet Care is recalling 248 cases of its Doggie Wishbone pet treats because of potential Salmonella contamination. The affected treats are marked as follows: ITEM # 29050, UPC code 2280829050, Lot 11031 and a "Best By" date of January 30, 2012.

Pet Food Ingredients

AAFCO votes on specialty petfood labels

The 102nd Annual Convention of the Association of American Feed Control Officials was held July 30 to August 1, 2011, in Austin, Texas, USA. There were some, but not very many, items directly affecting petfood. Since the AAFCO recently changed its procedures so the membership now votes at both the annual and midyear meetings, the number of items up for consideration in the general session seemed fewer this year than at annual meetings past.

AFIA announces petfood regulatory training course

In October, the American Feed Industry Association will hold a regulatory training short course for petfood industry professionals in Arlington, Virginia, USA. The course will take place October 11-12, serving as training on how to work as a regulatory professional in the petfood industry.

US FDA launches PETNet petfood incident tracking

The Partnership for Food Protection and the US Food and Drug Administration launched the Pet Event Tracking Network, PETNet, which is a secure, Web-based information exchange system for petfood-related incidents. PETNet’s voluntary information exchange, surveillance and alert system provides real-time information sharing about emerging petfood-related illnesses and product defects among FDA, and other federal and state agencies.

Market Trends and Reports

Nestle Purina recalls adult cat food for Salmonella contamination

Nestle Purina is voluntarily recalling bags of its Purina One Vibrant Maturity 7+ dry cat food due to concerns the petfood could be tainted with Salmonella, according to the company. Purina is recalling select 3.5- and 7-pound bags of the petfood, marked with a "Best by" date of May 2012. Recalled 3.5-pound cat food bags have production codes of 03341084 and 03351084, with UPC codes of 17800 01885.

'Business Day' petfood safety segment to re-air in August

The petfood safety segment on "Business Day with Terry Bradshaw" will air again in select US regional markets in August. In the Huntsville, Decatur and Florence, Alabama, USA markets, the petfood safety segment will re-air on Saturday, August 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 8 a.m. on the Fox WZDX-TV channel.

Natura reaches deal in class-action petfood lawsuit

A US$2,150,000 settlement was reached with Natura Pet Products Inc., Natura Pet Food Inc., Natura Manufacturing and Peter Atkins in a class-action lawsuit regarding advertising of Natura's petfood, according to a report. The lawsuit originated after claims that the company misrepresented its petfood quality as "human-grade."

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