May 6,
2008Volume 8, Number
8This newsletter is also
available in an Adobe PDF format; click on the following link to
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Petfood
Industry eNews.
AFB International, the maker of
Optimizor®, BioFlavor®, and Enticer® brand palatants, sponsors your
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the petfood industry's first choice for dog and cat food palatants.
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.afbinternational.com.
» INDUSTRY NEWS
FDA has formally
announced feed safety meetings dates
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
long-awaited final rule enhancing the BSE-prevention feed regulation
was approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget,
and was published in the Federal Register in late
April.
Following this announcement, FDA formally published
in the Federal Register two notices for its meetings on May
13th and 14th, 2008 in Gaithersburg, MD, USA, concerning feed
safety. The first meeting May 13th, is to take public input on the
mandate by Congress to develop ingredient standards and definitions,
processing standards and labeling standards for petfood and whether
these should apply to all animal feeds. You can view a copy of the
relevant portion of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act
of 2007 (Title X.) here.
Both meetings will take place at the Gaithersburg, MD, Holiday Inn.
FDA is asking for pre-registration.
You can register by contacting Nanette Milton
(nanette.milton@fda.hhs.gov) and providing her your name, address,
etc. If you wish to speak at either meeting, you should include that
information also. You can reserve rooms at the hotel by visiting its
website at http://www.higaithersburg.com.
Here's the link to the FDAAA May 13th Public Hearing notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/08-1154.htm.
AFIA is holding a pre-meeting discussion of the issues of each FDA
public meeting on May 12th from 1:30 pm until 5 pm at the same venue
in Gaithersburg, MD. Pre-registration is required. The AFIA meeting
is open to all AFIA members. Please contact AFIA VP Richard Sellers
(rsellers@afia.org) if you wish to attend.
Pets
getting polluted in the US
In the first study of its kind, Washington, D.C.,
USA-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that US pets are
polluted with even higher levels of many of the same
synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently
found in humans, including newborns. Just as we ingest pollutants in
tap water, pesticide residues from our lawns or indoor air
contaminants, so do cats and dogs. With their compressed lifespans,
developing and aging seven or more times faster than
children, pets develop health problems from exposure much
more rapidly.
The analysis found levels of brominated flame
retardants (commonly used in furniture, fabrics and
electronics) in cats 23 times higher than in humans, and mercury
levels (likely from fish in petfoods) five times higher. In dogs,
levels of perfluorinated chemicals (from stain-proof and
grease-proof coatings) were 2.4 times higher than in people.
Overall, 35 chemicals in dogs and 46 chemicals in cats were
found.
The research used blood and urine samples from 35 dogs
and 37 cats collected at Hanover Animal Hospital in Mechanicsville,
Virginia, USA, in December and January. The results represent
average levels. According to EWG, the samples had to be pooled
because lab methods require a larger sample than any single animal
could provide. The group hopes to figure out how wide spread this
contamination is, where it's coming from and whether it's associated
with adverse health events.
"The testing raises tantalizing questions," says
Larry Glickman, professor of environmental health at Purdue
University's School of Veterinary Medicine. "These things are just
too controversial to ingnore."
"Because cats are finicky, owners find a food
they like and stick to it," says Marion Nestle, a professor of
nutrition at New York University who's researching a book on
petfood. That might explain the high levels of mercury in cats. The
same could apply to dogs, especially because they are often fed
organ meat. "If they're eating only one thing, and there are toxins
in it, then it would be concentrated."
According to EWG's Jane Houlihan, the findings
give cause for concern because "there's a 20-year body of scientific
literature showing that pets can be sentinels for human problems."
To read the entire, in-depth report, visit www.ewg.org.
Evanger's reassuring consumers after FDA
news release
As a result of a routine inspection of
the Chicago, Illinois, USA-based Evanger's Dog & Cat Food
Company manufacturing facilities by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), the FDA recently raised questions regarding
record keeping and other issues at the petfood producer's
facilities. According to an FDA release, Evanger's needed to have an
emergency permit for its canned petfoods to be transported and sold
from state-to-state. Also according to the FDA's release, the
inspection found that the company's processes, equipment and
recprdkeeping throughout the production of its canned food products
deviated from prescribed documentation.
Contrary to the news release issued by
the FDA on April 24, 2008, Evanger's continues to make and
distribute its products with FDA approval. Evanger's continues to
work closely with the FDA and address their questions, and expects
to have the few remaining queries fully satisfied in a timely
manner. No Evanger's product has been recalled, nor, according to
the company, is there any indication that any of their products are
under-processed, unsafe or contaminated in any way. The routine FDA
inspection was related only to Evanger's canned foods and did not
cover production of its dry petfood products.
Consumers and distributors can contact
Evanger's customer service department at +1.800.288.6796 for further
information on this matter. In addition, all new or updated
information will be immediately posted to the company's website, www.evangersdogfood.com.
Report available on prebiotic petfood
market
The research firm Frost & Sullivan
has published a new report titled European Companion Animal
Prebiotics Markets. The report provides a comprehensive
overview of the prebiotics market in petfood applications in Europe.
It also offers an analysis of the current status and future
prospects, and provides information about the fibers utilized for
manufacturing companion animal feed prebiotic products. The report
is available here.
The market for prebiotics in petfoods
has become increasingly attractive in the last few years, driven by
health perceptions and positive associations with the human
probiotics market, the ban on antimicrobial growth promoters in
agriculture and the willingness to confer the status of 'extra
family members' to pets. In companion animals, prebiotics have been
shown to improve gut microbial ecology, enhance stool quality and
help reduce undesirable odours. Other benefits include the
improvement of bone health parameters through enhanced mineral
absorption and weight management brought about by an increased
feeling of satiety.
Frost & Sullivan estimates revenues in
the European companion animal feed prebiotics market to expand from
€34.85 million (US$53.98 million) in 2007 to
€85.95 million (US$133.15 million) by 2013. In 2007, the
market is split into two opposing segments, with several
manufacturers trying to promote premium, value-added prebiotic
products featuring purified materials, technical support and
customer service provision. On the other hand, the standard and
value segments of the market have been flooded with less expensive,
lower specification by-products of sugar beet and chicory, which
have a non-guaranteed chemical composition and less defined
prebiotic benefits.
This presents a definite challenge for
prebiotics producers due to the strong price competition in the
companion animal feed market. Market opportunities for the mannan
prebiotics are looking increasingly attractive. These products have
in fact grown in popularity throughout the animal feed sector since
antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) were removed from agricultural
feed in January 2006. In 2007, the majority of use of prebiotic
products is in agriculture, but there is a great deal of potential
in the companion animal feed market.
Final rule on
BSE-prevention feed regulation approved
According to the Pet Food Institute (PFI), the final
rule enhancing the BSE-prevention feed regulation that was approved
by the White House Office of Management and Budget will require
the removal of brain and spinal cord from all cattle older than 30
months of age, including for "non-ambulatory" cattle and dead stock
if the ages of younger animals can be verified reliably. Brain
and spinal cord from older cattle will be prohibited in all animal
feed.
With respect to non-ambulatory and dead cattle, the
final rule represents a change from FDA's proposed rule, published
in October 2005, which would have required the removal of brain and
spinal cord from non-ambulatory and dead stock cattle of regardless
of age. With respect to non-ambulatory cattle, FDA's final rule will
be consistent with the recommendations made to FDA by the NGFA that
brain and spinal cord continue to be allowed for use in non-ruminant
feed if derived from cattle less 30 months of age or younger if the
age of the animals can be positively verified, since BSE is not
known to manifest itself in younger cattle. This is a departure
from the position that PFI initially supported which called for the
elimination of all human food SRMs from petfood. Further, the
final rule will provide a 12-month implementation period to provide
time for the rendering industry to make necessary operational
adjustments.
This is a departure from the position that PFI
initially supported which called for the elimination of all human
food SRMs from petfood. Further, the final rule will provide a
12-month implementation period to provide time for the rendering
industry to make necessary operational adjustments.
WATT launches EcoAgri.Biz
WATT has launched EcoAgri.Biz, a
comprehensive, global and completely digital news product providing
companies and individuals in animal agribusiness markets with
practical sustainability advice and solutions. Link to the digital
magazine at http://www.ecoagribiz-digital.com/ecoagribiz/200804/
» MARKET DATA
Each month the Petfood
Industry eNewsletter will bring you the latest market data
available from several different sources including Euromonitor
International, Packaged Facts, Information Resources Inc. (IRI) and
ACNielsen.
Premium wet cat food showing
signs of continued growth
According to the latest research from
Euromonitor International, cat food in Argentina grew 22% in current
value terms to reach Peso264 million (US$252.4 million) in 2007. The
increase in number of single-person households was a significant
driver.
Premium wet cat food achieves the
strongest current value growth of nearly 28% in 2007. Cat owners
believe that cats prefer wet cat food more than dry cat food because
it generally incorporates more sophisticated flavors. Whiskas is by
far the most popular brand because it has ample distribution in all
channels and because it places emphasis on taste, which is the main
attraction of wet cat food.
The increasing cat population will
stimulate demand for cat food and as many single people are young
professionals with busy careers, they opt for the convenience of
prepared cat food. Manufacturers have placed more emphasis on
distribution through pet shops and veterinary clinics in response to
the increase in cat ownership among single-person households, as
these are the preferred channels of distribution for these
consumers.
The cat population is expected to
continue to increase to 2012 as more individuals choose to live
alone, acquire a cat and thus boost demand for cat food. Premium wet
cat food is expected to achieve the strongest constant value growth
in cat food, mostly as a result of the trend of indulgence, as cat
owners perceive such products to be tastier and healthier than
others.
http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_Food_And_Pet_Care_Products_in_Argentina?DCMP=AFC-petfoodemail
» PRODUCT NEWS
Software maximizes
return
ProMax is Creative
Formulation Concepts' recently released maximized return
optimization model software. According to the company, it differs
from optimization software that invokes least cost algorithms to
produce optimal solutions for minimizing production costs; ProMax
anchors on modeling technology to maximize profit in addition to
minimizing costs. By simultaneously reformulating all products
(subject to the specified quantity and cost of available
ingredients), ProMax determines which products and how much of each
to manufacture to maximize total return. www.creativeformulation.com
Natural antioxidant adds to shelf life and
stability
Ameri-Pac Inc. announces the release
of Oxy-Gon Premium, a natural antioxidant available for both feed
and food applications. Ameri-Pac states that with its new formulas,
it has developed the highest delta tocopherol antioxidant available
in the industry. Oxy-Gon Premium contains 50% delta tocopherol
levels, which the company emphasizes enables longer shelf life and
increased product stability. www.ameri-pac.com
Good enough for
Meow Mix
Dorpak containers, made by Sonoco and
recently incorporated by Del Monte Pet Products, are stackable,
recloseable and green, containing 85 percent recycled content.
According to the company, the thermoformed PVC snap-on lid promotes
freshness for the container's contents. Sonoco also emphasizes that
Dorpak containers have a minimum stacking strength of 400 pounds. www.sonoco.com
Precise moisture measuring
The Bypass Microwave Moisture
Measuring System MW 3200 from TEWS Elektronik has been developed for
industrial use. The measuring method achieves, according to the
company, precise moisture measurement unaffected by density, surface
structure and colour of the materials being measured. www.tews-elektronik.com
» RESEARCH NEWS
Animal models in
nutrition research
Current knowledge in nutrition is
based largely on the use of appropriate animal models together with
defined diets. Numerous examples are cited where animal models have
been used to solve nutrient interactions, to evaluate
bioavailability of nutrients and nutrient precursors, and to test
for nutrient tolerances and toxicities. Advantages, disadvantages,
and idiosyncrasies of various animal species are discussed.
Source: D.H. Baker, 2008. Animal
models in nutrition research. J. Nutr. 138: 391-396.
Fiber and satiety in dogs
This study investigated
the effects of feeding two foods with elevated levels of total
dietary fiber on satiety in dogs.
Both foods were
formulated to contain similar levels of total dietary fiber (TDF;
> 25% dry matter basis). The foods were fed to two groups of 10
beagles for a period of 16 weeks in order to determine the effect of
total dietary fiber on satiety. During the study dogs were given ad
libitum access to the foods for a period of 45 minutes. Food intake
was recorded daily and body weight was recorded weekly to determine
the effects of fiber on satiety and weight maintenance. During the
16 week study, body weight decreased (1.4 kg on average; P <
0.01) on both treatments while intake increased (82 grams on
average; P < 0.01).
There were no differences
between the two treatments for intake or body weight at week 1 or 16
indicating that the level of TDF in the food was efficacious in
promoting satiety in beagles. Interestingly, dogs only lost weight
during weeks 1 to 4 and then maintained body weight thereafter
(weeks 4 to 16). The results of this study demonstrate that satiety
and body weight can be controlled in beagles fed ad libitum with
foods containing > 25% total dietary fiber.
Source: R.M. Yamka,
et al., 2008. Effect of total dietary fiber on satiety
in dogs. FASEB J. 22:1117.3.
» POSITIONS AVAILABLE
» CONTACT INFO
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consider for publication on our website, in the printed magazine, or
in this newsletter, E-mail your information to Jessica Taylor Bond,
jbond@wattnet.net.
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» CALENDAR
For our Full Calendar of Events, please
click on the provided link:
AFB International, the maker
of Optimizor®, BioFlavor®, and Enticer® brand palatants, sponsors
your free copy of Petfood Industry Electronic Newsletter.
AFB is the petfood industry's first choice for dog and cat food
palatants. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.afbinternational.com.
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