Safety & Quality: Page 141

Pet Food Ingredients

New AAFCO website to help small petfood manufacturers

In the September 2010 issue of Petfood Industry, I briefly reported on the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ intent to launch a website designed particularly to help small manufacturers understand and comply with labeling and other state and federal regulatory requirements. The preview of the site at last year’s annual meeting met with tremendous applause from the audience.

â€˜The Business of Pet Foodâ€™ explains the need for product registration and/or company licensure at the state level and provides a table of basic state requirements as well as contact information and links for each state feed control office.

Brand Insights

Plasma: A Multi-Faceted Ingredient Supporting Health, Formula Functionality, and Nutrition in Pet Food

APC Inc

Discover how plasma protein supports pet health, boosts palatability, and improves pet food functionality and processing performance in modern formulations.

Plasma: A Multi-Faceted Ingredient Supporting Health, Formula Functionality, and Nutrition in Pet Food

Philippines company charged with smuggling imported petfood

Smuggling charges were filed by the Bureau of Customs against a Philippines-based company accused of importing petfoods, as well as against its customs broker who is accused of gross undervaluation of the imported goods. Leoby C. Leonidas, owner of Honey Drops Marketing, and the company's customs broker, Isabelita C. Galera, were charged by the Department of Jusice for undervaluing Honey Drop's previous 15-month, P474.5 million (US$11 million), petfood importations by more than 80%.

Market Trends and Reports

Nestle issues dry cat food recall in US

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. recalled select bags of its Cat Chow and Friskies brands of dry cat food over concerns of Salmonella contamination. The food was shipped to distributors in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon, USA, and in turn, may have been distributed to other western states, according to the company.

AVMA issues alert for chicken jerky treats from China

In June, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association notified the American Veterinary Medical Association that CVMA had received reports of Fanconi syndrom-like symptoms in dogs, similar to those cases reported in 2007 by AVMA that were found to be associated with chicken jerky treats made in China. AVMA issued an alert to its members, recommending vigilance for any suspected cases in the US, as well as to state veterinary medical associations and allied organizations.

Video: 'Business Day with Terry Bradshaw’ includes segment on petfood safety

The cable TV show "Business Day with Terry Bradshaw" featured a segment on petfood safety in the June 18 episode. The petfood safety segment, sponsored by Extru-Tech Inc., discusses reasons why petfood safety is so important and covers measures being taken to ensure food safety, including the Food Safety and Modernization Act recently implemented by the US Food and Drug Administration.

AVMA publishes report on Salmonella in petfood

A report in the June 1 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association outlines recommendations for pet owners on how to avoid pets being sickened with Salmonella from petfood. The report, written by Kate S. KuKanich, DVM, Ph.D., details the circumstances under which Salmonella organisms are most often ingested and includes a history of Salmonella outbreaks associated with petfood and treats.

FDA unveils global food safety strategy

The US Food and Drug Administration unveiled its new global strategy for increasing food safety inspections under the Food Safety and Modernization Act. FDA's report, "Pathway to Global Product Safety and Quality," outlines four main approaches the agency will take to better monitor foreign food suppliers.

Minnesota, USA, man faces charges for vegan petfood production

A Little Canada, Minnesota, USA, man faces 58 counts ranging from animal cruelty to practicing without a license after producing his own vegan petfood, according to a report by Minnesota's Fox news. Prosecutors served Eric Weisman with a warrant for the criminal charges on June 15.

EU petfood health certificates available

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced the online availability of European Union health certificates for processed petfoods and dog chews. The Chapter 3(B) Health Certificate is for processed petfood, which is not canned or is not a dog chew, and Chapter 3(C) Health Certificate is for dog chew products.

Proposed budget cuts may hinder FDA's food-safety regulation

Budget cuts proposed by US House Republicans to the US Food and Drug Administration would undermine the agency’s ability to carry out the food-safety legislation passed by Congress in December 2010, according to an article from the Washington Post. President Obama is seeking US$955 million for food safety at FDA in the fiscal year that starts October 1.

FDA seeks public comment on Food Safety Modernization Act

The US Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comments and recommendations on measures relating to the Food Safety Modernization Act, which requires manufacturers of food and animal feed to implement measures for safe production and mitigation of risks. The deadline for comment is August 22, and FDA said it expects the proposed rule to be published in fall 2011.

Bravo! recalls pig ear chew pet treats for Salmonella contamination

Bravo! issued a voluntary recall for select boxes of Bravo! pig ears chews because of the potential for Salmonella contamination. The recalled Bravo! pig ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts of the US between January 1 and February 28.

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