July 1,
2008
Volume 8, Number
12
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Petfood Industry eNews.
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» INDUSTRY NEWS
US Marshalls seize petfood products
at Petco distribution center
Late last month, at the
request of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US
Marshalls seized various petfood products stored under
unsanitary conditions at the Petco Animal Supplies
Distribution Center located in Joliet, Illinois, USA. US
Marshalls seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to
rodent and pest contamination. The seized petfood violates the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act because it was alleged in
a case filed by the United States Attorney that they were
being held under unsanitary conditions.
The distribution center in
Joliet, Illinois, USA, provides petfood products and supplies
to Petco retail stores in 16 states uncluding Alabama,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
During an FDA inspection of a
Petco distribution hub in April 2008, widespread and active
rodent and bird infestation was found. The FDA inspected the
facility again in May 2008 and found continuing and widespread
infestation. Kevin Whelan, a Petco spokesman, said after
the FDA inspection in May, the company "acted aggressively to
address any concerns that were raised."
According to the FDA, there have
been no reports of pet illness or death associated with the
consumption of any petfood distributed by Petco and the
government body has no evidence that the food is unsafe for
animals. However, the seized products were permeable
packages and held under conditions that could affect the
food's integrity and quality.
Nutro vs. a "watchdog"
website
Over the
past several months, ConsumerAffairs.com, a self-proclaimed
consumer news center, has been posting statements and consumer
complaints about Nutro petfood products. Nutro contends these
postings draw false links between illness and death among pets
and the consumption of Nutro petfoods. It further points out
the website is not affiliated with the US Consumer Product
Safety Commission or Consumer
Reports.
Reduced retail availability of Nutro products may have
sparked rumors of food safety problems. Currently, there are
worldwide shortages of ingredients across the human and
petfood industries and Nutro has had its share of supply
problems. In addition, Nutro has an unyielding policy against
substituting ingredients, notes Ladd Hardy, Nutro's senior VP
of marketing. "They have to be the ingredients on the label
and meet our standards," he says.
In some of the cases cited in
the June 23 posting on ConsumerAffairs.com, outside sources
have provided verification that Nutro products were not the
cause of any pet health issues. In others, Nutro is taking
steps to address pet owners' concerns and determine the cause
of the pet health issues, according to Dan Calkins, VP of
marketing at Nutro Products, Inc. But at this point, he says,
every Nutro product analyzed in relation to the June 23
posting has been shown to be safe.
Hotels now cater to four-legged
guests
With an increasing
number of pet owners bringing their four-legged friends on the
road, hotels throughout North America and Europe are
responding with tail-wagging gourmet menus and other
amenities. The latest National Pet Owners Survey taken by
the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association shows that
19% of dog owners and 3% of cat owners take their pet with
them when traveling for at least two nights. AAA lists more
than 13,000 lodging options in its 2008 pet traveling guide.
No wonder hotels have responded. Even in these trying economic
times, PetTravel.com has seen no visible signs of a downturn
in luxury travel for pets, says Jerry Hatfield, who has been
in the business for 11 years.
Dogs can feast on
Zen Yo (US$11), a hearty vegetable stir-fry with poached eggs
and steamed brown rice that's designed to help pets adjust to
jet lag and altitude, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Or down an organic Buddy Burger
hamburger with cheese (US$5) at Los Angeles' Hyatt Regency
Century Plaza, which offers an organic and locally sourced
in-room dining service doggie menu with cooked-to-order items.
Or start with an appetizer of chicken liver pâté (US$7) before
moving on to the braised New Zealand lamb served on a bed of
rice (US$15) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa,
Florida, USA.
There's no need for
pampered pets to suffer with dry or canned food while outside
of the USA, either. In Los Cabos, Mexico, Las Ventanas al
Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort, offers The Rin Tin Tin (braised
beef short ribs with farro risotto and gravy for US$19), a
"Ruff" con Pollo (chicken breast with rice and tomato, US$19),
The Claw Cleaner (albacore tuna, chopped egg and sour cream,
US$4) and Tomcat's Favorite (a selection of seafood, US$3.50).
"The pet menus started as a special service for our many
celebrity guests who frequently bring their pets and want them
to enjoy the same upscale, healthy diet they have at home,"
says Lionel Álvarez, managing director of Las Ventanas al
Paraíso. "In today's world, pets are truly part of the family,
and guests expect them to experience the same level of luxury
and pampering."
Hilton Hotels and
Resorts' now offer their new Pet Friendly program at more than
200 Hilton hotels in the Americas. Upon check-in, guests' pets
receive a welcome package of pet pampering treats, including:
a travel tote, organic treats, a pocket-sized packet of
biodegradable waste bags, a travel-size bottle of
disinfectant, deodorizer and one-step cleaner, and
a Hilton pet collar tag. Additionally, Hilton's Pet
Friendly collection of upscale amenities features a pet bed
created by famed artist William Wegman and Crypton Fabrics
that is available in-room and can be purchased on www.HiltonToHome.com
. Lastly, participating Hiltons will also offer pet
concierge service with information about local dog runs,
veterinarian offices and pet boutiques. A select amount of Pet
Friendly rooms will be designated in each participating Hilton
hotel and along with the standard room cleaning procedures,
the rooms will undergo a deep cleaning - including carpets,
drapery and all upholstered furniture - after each pet guest
has checked out. All Pet Friendly rooms will feature a special
door hanger alerting hotel staff to the furry guest within.
For more information on Hilton's Pet Friendly program, visit
www.hilton.com/pets.
Driven by trends, Nestlé Purina moves
into pet health insurance
Long known for its
petfood and snack products, Nestlé Purina is branching out
into a different--but according to company officials,
related--category: pet health insurance. "One of our
primary focuses as a brand is delivering a lifetime of health
and happiness," says Bill Broun, director of business
development for Purina PetCare. "This is a move for us that
has financial benefits, but it builds on our core franchise of
the brand."
The new insurance
product, dubbed PurinaCare, will offer programs that vary by
monthly premiums and deductible levels, covering everything
from routine vaccinations and flea and tick medications to
major surgeries and cancers. After meeting a chosen deductible
level, consumers will make a 20% co-pay per procedure and can
be reimbursed for the remainder. (Coverage fees vary based on
geographic location, pet breed, pet age and other variables.)
While many pet insurance plans resemble property and casualty
insurance plans, the PurinaCare plan is designed to look like
health insurance plans that people are familiar with for
themselves, Broun says. "Consumers said there was an unmet
need for a simple plan," Broun says. "We're trying to mirror
what they're used to."
The move into
insurance for Purina was driven by three trends, Broun says.
First, there's an ongoing trend toward "humanization" of pets,
viewing them as a part of the family. Second, people are also
more interested in wellness for themselves and their pets,
including diet and exercise. And, finally, advances in
veterinary medicine are helping pets live longer.
To market the
insurance, the company will lean on its well-known brand
portfolio and iconography, which includes Puppy, Dog, Kitten
and Cat Chow, and treats such as Beggin' Strips and T-Bonz.
Much of the initial messaging will be tied to the Internet,
from Purina brand Web sites to search marketing and banner
displays, Broun says. "The number one way people go and
evaluate pet health insurance is through the Web. So that is a
major focus for us," he says. The company will also promote
the insurance through consumer and veterinary trade print ads,
as well as extensive brochures and information available in
veterinary offices.
According to the
American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. pet owners spend
an estimated $24.5 billion on veterinary care,
over-the-counter drugs and other health supplies for their
pets. The American pet health insurance industry is dominated
by Veterinary Pet Insurance, which accounts for about 80% of
the policies in the country. In 2007, the ASPCA came out with
a pet insurance product developed in partnership with
Hartville Group, which also markets PetsHealth.
UK pet care market
still growing, despite economic slowdown
The pet care market in the UK is
worth an estimated £1.65 billon (US$3.28 billion) a year,
with year-on-year growth of 5%, according to figures from
market analysts TNS. Cat food is growing by 5.1% year-on-year
and dog food by 4.8%. The increase in value in the dog food
market is being driven by growth in dry dog food and dog
treats. Wet dog food and dog biscuits are in decline.
In the cat food category, on the other hand,
wet cat food has helped drive growth, helped by new product
development (NPD) from both Felix and Whiskas launching into
the premium wet multi-serve market. TNS says the move "further
reinforces the importance of premiumisation to the pet care
category, despite the economic slowdown." Wet single-serve cat
food has also grown the market by £45.5 million (US$90.6
million), largely due to the continued success of pouch
varieties.
Cat and dog treats have grown by
24% and 15% respectively, boosted by positive press articles
about pet nutrition, which is also driving NPD, according to
TNS. Sales in Pedigree treats in the dog food market doubled
last year while Whiskas are leading the cat treat market.
Top 10 UK Petfood Brands:
1. Felix Cat Food
2. Whiskas Singles
3. Felix AGAIL
Pouch Cat Food
4. Bakers Complete Dog Food
5. Tesco
Premium Cuts Cat Food
6. Whiskas Adult Cat Food
7.
Purina Gourmet Pearl Pouch
8. Whiskas Fishermans
Pouch
9. Go-Cat
10. Wagg Dog Food
Source: TNS
Australia rejects plans to use
culled kangaroos into
petfood
The
Australian State Government has rejected a plan to turn
culled kangaroos into petfood, saying it would constitute
commercial harvesting. Southern Grampians Shire Council is
supporting a bid by Tesbury Meats -- who want to collect the
kangaroos and process them into petfood at their Hamilton meat
works -- and has approached the Government on their behalf.
The proposal comes after residents in some of Melbourne's
bayside and urban fringe suburbs this month called for a cull
of opossums and cockatoos. A large-scale cull of the animals
is unlikely because opossums and cockatoos are protected
species.
Thousands of
kangaroos are culled in Victoria each year under the
Department of Sustainability and Environment permits and must
be left to decompose where they are killed. Southern Grampians
mayor Marcus Rentsch said the petfood proposal would create at
least two new jobs in the regional town. "All they are trying
to do is remove the carcasses -- they are an environmental and
health risk, it's not good to have them just sitting there,"
he said. Mr Rentsch said Tesbury Meats had plans to collect
the culled kangaroos, freeze them and transport them to its
Hamilton processing plant.
Government
spokeswoman Jessica Harris said there were no plans for a
commercial kangaroo industry in Victoria. "Current provisions
do not allow for commercial use of kangaroo meat and there are
no plans to change this," she said. "A previous inquiry has
found that a commercial kangaroo processing industry would not
be viable."
» 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.
Local companies look to
develop more flavors to match imported
rivals
According to the latest research
from Euromonitor International, Venezuelan consumers are
demanding more flavor options and value-added health options
for their pets. Domestic producers are reacting to consumers'
demands, while also taking advantage of imported brands by
increasing their product offerings and production
capabilities.
The
petfood and pet care products market is poised for strong
volume and value growth during 2007-2012. Producers should be
able to increase both volume and value sales if product
offerings can meet consumers' demands. For example, Nutripet
Andina CA, which is owned by Venezuela's largest company,
Empresas Polar CA, is developing additional flavors to be
introduced. While the new flavor offerings are not yet public,
the company plans to increase the number of its product
presentations from 18 to 25. Its production plant has already
been equipped to accommodate this increase in the number of
flavors.
For more information about Petfood
and Pet Care Product reports from Euromonitor International
and to buy reports online, visit
http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_Food_And_Pet_Care_Products?DCMP=AFC-petfoodemail
» PRODUCT NEWS
Business Process Management
software
CSB-System recently
released its new version of the Business Process Management
software. This module, according to the company, allows
customers to document business processes integrated in the
business application, reduce training costs of new personnel
and increase the effectiveness of cross training employees.
External auditors can reproduce all business processes during
reviews easier, regardless if these are USDA inspections,
ISO-certifications or sarbannes-oxley audits. With the
introduction of "interactive workflows," users can define
complex business processes, such as approvals, and monitor the
progress. The results, CSB says, are higher degrees of process
execution and results in overall bottom-line improvements. www.csb.com
Cost-effective vacuum packaging
machines
Manufactured in
Kansas City, Missouri, USA, Rollstock vacuum packaging
machines use inexpensive, off-the-shelf North American parts,
according to the company. In addition, Rollstock states that
these packaging machines are readily available and provide
reduced cost of ownership. Available in a variety of web
widths from 285 mm to 459 mm, all Rollstock machines feature
programmable PLC controls with readable diagnostics and a
vacuum leak check program. The chain system is guided
and has an auto tensioning system to reduce stretch and
wear. Dies are manufactured in Rollstock's facility from
solid aluminum block and lifted by a triple knee lever system,
driven by a 4 -inch air cylinder with variable height
control. www.rollstock.com
Mondi launches biodegradable
packaging solutions
Mondi, an
international paper and packaging group, has recently launched
its portfolio of biodegradable packaging solutions under the
brand name Sustainex. Sustainex combines the material
properties of paper or board with those of biopolymers.
According to the company, it is a versatile biodegradable and
sustainable packaging material thanks to its excellent
sealability, gas and grease barrier, and thermal resistance.
www.mondigroup.com
New, green
packaging
Excel has recently
released a new product: a reinforced paper pouch/bag.
Constructed for strength and barrier qualities, Excel says it
can hold up to 40 lbs. and has 3 layers -- paper, polyester,
poly. It can have zippers, die-cut clear windows and
pouch designs. According to the company, this product
can provide a major "source reduction" in the amount of
non-recyclable plastics used in a plastic or current
paper/plastic pouches/bags. The bags are designed to have the
same strength and barrier qualities, but are thinner and do
not consume as much raw material. www.custom-ad.com
» RESEARCH NEWS
Obesity and gut
microbiota
Gut microbiota are
becoming increasingly recognized as a factor affecting host
gene expression (phenotype). Microbial energy harvest in the
intestinal tract by fermentation has been implicated as
contributing to obesity, and methanogenic Archaea
organisms are believed to increase efficiency of energy
harvest by eliminating hydrogen to form methane.
Methanogenesis and
methanogens have been described in many species, but not the
dog. We evaluated methanogenesis of dog intestinal microbiota
using an in vitro fermentation system. Selected
substrates were subjected to 12 hour fermentation in gas-tight
tubes after inoculation with fecal slurry derived from three
canine donors.
Short-chain fatty
acids and gas production (methane, hydrogen) were measured.
Short-chain fatty acid production was higher for pectin and
β-fructan substrates compared with beet pulp and yeast cell
wall. Significant methane production was detected for all
substrates except wood cellulose. Beet pulp generated more
methane than any other substrate and was moderately
fermentable. These data suggest that the dog intestinal tract
harbors methanogenic Archaea that have yet to be
identified.
Source: I. S. Middelbos, et
al., 2008. In vitro evaluation of
methanogenesis in the dog. FASEB J. 22:444.5.
Dietary methylcelluloses reduce
insulinemia
Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and methylcellulose
(MC) are modified cellulose dietary fibers that generate
viscous solutions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This
study assessed the effects of high viscosity (HV) HPMC,
ultra-HV (UHV) HPMC, and medium viscosity MC on postprandial
glucose and insulin responses in overweight and obese men and
women.
After overnight
fasts, subjects consumed five breakfast meals containing 75 g
carbohydrate, each of which contained a certain HPMC/MC
preparation. Glucose and insulin responses were determined
pre-meal and for two hours postprandially.
Peak insulin was
reduced for all HPMC/MC conditions compared with the control.
Insulin was lower than the control after meals containing two
grams of HV-HPMC, two grams of UHV-HPMC and four grams
MC. GI symptoms did not differ among treatments. These
findings indicate that HV-HPMC (one and two grams), UHV-HPMC
(two grams) and MC (four grams) consumption reduced
postprandial insulin blood levels consistent with delayed
glucose absorption.
Source: K.C. Maki, et al.,
2008. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose
consumption reduce postprandial insulinemia in overweight and
obese men and women. J. Nutr. 138:
292-296.
» POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Our help wanted
listings aim to inform petfood industry professionals
about employment opportunities worldwide. Contact gstadel@wattnet.net for more
information on placing a listing in upcoming
issues.
» CONTACT INFO
To submit any information you
would like us to 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.
Have
questions or comments about what you've just read? E-mail the
editor at editor@petfoodindustry.com or
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online at www.petfoodindustry.com.
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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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