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July 15,
2008
Volume 8, Number
13
This newsletter is also
available in an Adobe PDF format; click on the following link
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Petfood Industry
eNews.
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.
Fresh
petfood becoming a new standard in premium
foods
For years,
virtually all of the dollar sales growth in the North American
petfood market has been coming from the conversion of pet
owners to higher priced fare, and the single most important
factor behind their willingness to pay more is the belief that
better quality products offer tangible health
benefits. Because fresh petfoods fit this bill perfectly,
sales are on the rise, with a 23% compound annual growth rate
forecasted to bring retail sales to US$473 million by 2012,
according to Packaged Facts' new Fresh Pet Food in North America:
The Raw/Frozen, Refrigerated and Homemade Wave
report. Also helping the market along
are technological advances and convenience features, overlap
into the high-growth natural/organic segment, heightened food
safety concerns and the mobilization of the raw/frozen petfood
industry via the North American Raw Petfood Association and
the Canadian Association of Raw Pet Food Manufacturers.
Fresh Pet Food in
North America -the
first and only market report to quantity this dynamic segment
of the petfood market-is grounded in primary interviews with
industry experts and extensive canvassing of the Internet,
where the "word-of-mouth" raw foods movement has long been
based and continues to spread. The market consists mainly
of raw diets sold in frozen form but also includes
refrigerated or frozen petfoods that have been lightly cooked
(i.e., pasteurized) as well as uncooked products made
shelf-stable via dehydration. The report also examines
the growing trend toward homemade petfoods and the trend
toward the usage of fresh ingredients in traditional
shelf-stable dry and wet petfoods.
FDA claims
progress on food protection
plan
The US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a six-month
status report on its progress in implementing a food safety
plan launched in November in response to high-profile
contamination incidents - including the petfood recall
- involving domestic and imported foods over the past few
years. The eight-page report covers a wide range of action
items, from efforts to solicit stakeholder comments to
research on how to assess produce contamination risks.
Progress assessments are grouped under prevention,
intervention and response sections. In each category the FDA
also lists steps it plans in the future.
The status report
comes as the FDA is fielding criticism over its handling of
the investigation of a massive Salmonella
outbreak thought to be linked to fresh tomatoes or some other
ingredient commonly served in combination with tomatoes. Some
lawmakers have charged that the FDA has been too slow in
implementing the food safety plan. For their part, FDA
officials have said the US Congress has failed to grant the
FDA authorities it has requested in the plan, such as the
ability to require food recalls.
"Implementing the
strategic approaches outlined in the plan is essential if we
are to enhance our ability to respond and intervene in
foodborne outbreaks," said FDA Commissioner Andrew von
Eschenbach, MD, in a press release. "But there is much more
that needs to be done. We are hopeful that Congress will
support these efforts by providing the proposed new
authorities that we requested in the Food Protection
Plan."
The FDA said it is
working with state and local partners to develop a strategy
for implementing the food safety plan and that a 50-state
meeting will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA from August
12-14 to collaborate and plan future food safety initiatives.
Also, the FDA is seeking feedback on a variety of food safety
proposals, including outreach activities and petfood labeling
and safety standards.
"There have been
changes in both the food industry and in the science of food
safety that indicate a need for modernization," the report
says. The agency said it has made progress with China and
Vietnam on food and import safety issues and has also reached
out to India and Jordan. It has also met with a host of other
countries on rapid response and other food safety issues. When
the FDA released its food protection plan in November, it
emphasized that the strategy reflects a risk-based approach to
improving safety. The new report says the FDA has established
a risk-based steering committee to ensure that the plan
adheres to that approach.
International
pet trade shows worth marking your calendars
for
ZooExpo 2009, the
national Norwegian pet trade show, will take place next
year for the 10th time. The large jubilee show will be
held on the weekend of March 21-22, 2009, in the Exporama
trade fair centre just north of Oslo, Norway and is
organized by the Norwegian Pet Trade Association, NZB. From
the start, ZooExpo was clearly defined as a national show
aimed at satisfying the interest of Norwegian retailers. The
preferred exhibitors have always been manufacturers, importers
and wholesalers that aim directly at the Norwegian
market.
Rather than
attempting to become yet another international trade show,
ZooExpo has been planned with the intention of always being a
national pet trade show. Nevertheless, exhibitors from outside
of Norway are welcome as far as they already have
representation in the country or are aiming to sell directly
to the Norwegian retail segment. Foreign
manufacturers/exporters looking for import and wholesale
representation are generally recommended to come as
visitors.
Zoomark
International 2009 will take place from May 7-10, 2009 in the
BolognaFiere exhibition centre. As usual, the core of the
exhibition will be the Novelties Showcase, a large area where
the buyers can immediately take a look at new products - most
of which are debuting at the show - that they will find in the
halls. Zoomark International is also the awaited occasion in
which the Report on the Italian market is introduced. The
2008-2009 Report, which will include specific focuses on
market trends, will be presented on the first show day.
The American
Consulate General and the American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association will work together for the promotion of an
American Pavillion; China Great Wall International Exhibition
Co. Ltd will find exhibitors for the Chinese Pavillion; the
English association PetQuip will promote the creation of a
British Pavillion; Australian Trade Commission is
working for the creation of an Australian
Pavillion; and Pijac Canada is promoting the show through
Canadian companies.
Japan
spending more on petfood
Japanese pet
owners are spending more money on their animals, according to
a recent consumer survey, with 23% of the respondents saying
they spend more on their pets compared to what they spent
three years ago. Of all respondents, 84% said their spending
on petfood has increased.
Approximately 60%
of respondents said they spend ¥1,000 (US$9.42) to ¥5,000
(US$47.09) a month on their pets, 9% spent ¥10,000 (US$94.18)
or more. As Japanese consumers spend more on petfood, pet
owners are demanding the same safety standards they are
accustomed to with their own food products. Another survey by
the Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
ministries shows that about 40% of pet owners have doubts
about petfood safety, and Japanese officials have since
announced the government is considering introducing a law to
ensure the safety of petfoods.
Procter &
Gamble Japan KK says food products for aging canines and those
for younger adult dogs each account for 50% of its dog food
sales. According to Unicharm PetCare Corp., sales of petfood
for elderly dogs and cats in fiscal 2007 rose by 20% and
estimates that the specialty petfood market for aging dogs and
cats was nearly ¥25 billion (US$235.4 million) in 2006, almost
double that of 2003. A company executive from Unicharm
considered a major reason was that customers were choosing
pricier petfood for their older pets, probably because they
believed that the more expensive the food, the higher quality
its ingredients.
CBS brings
audiences 'Greatest American
Dog'
US television
network CBS literally "put on the dog" to promote Greatest American
Dog, a reality series that premiered
earlier this month. The campaign was a mix of traditional and
non-traditional marketing, with some elements created in
collaboration with the network's media agency, Initiative. The
push included branded hot dog stands throughtout downtown
Manhattan, New York, USA, and the use of dog walkers and
canines in promos. The campaign spanned out-of-home, online,
in-store, print, radio, cable and cinema
advertising.
Other unique
promotions uncluded an alignment with Dogster.com
, "the Facebook for dogs," in which the network took over
the homepage of the site and introduced a "fan club." In
petfood sections of certain supermarket chains, motion-sensor
video screens were set up to run 30-second spots. CBS also
employed dog walkers in New York who sported vests and
T-shirts with the show's logo. The dogs themselves were also
outfitted, displaying pertinent information about the
show.
Big time
collection for petfood
drives
Local food banks
across the United States have recently begun not only
collecting canned and non-perishable items for people, but
having petfood drives to address the escalating nationwide
problem of people being unable to afford to feed their pets in
this difficult economic climate. Many families have already
been forced to give away or surrender their beloved dogs and
cats and some animals have unfortunately been turned out
on the streets. Earlier this month, the New Hampshire
Food Bank took in donations of over 3,300 pounds of dog
and cat food to help people in need feed their pets.
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.
Multinationals
dominate market share for dog food
Dog food sales
showed an increase of 9% in both volume and current value
terms in 2007, reaching sales of CH$114.7 billion (US$229.6
million). Several factors such as the growing popularity of
television shows that deal with animal care and more Chileans
consulting veterinarians about dog care are leading consumers
to switch from homemade food to commercially produced
petfood.
Major
multinationals Mars and Nestlé and local companies Champion
and Nutripro share more than 71% of the value market with
shares of 17% to 20% each. There remains potential for future
growth in dog food, which is expected to exhibit a constant
value CAGR of 5% to 2012 to reach CH$143.8 billion (US$287.9
million).
http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_Food_And_Pet_Care_Products?DCMP=AFC-petfoodemail
Two
free standing bags from
Veriplast
Veriplast has
developed two different kinds of free standing bags ranging
from 0.4 to 20 kg: the single lip top zip and the single lip
top slider. According to the company, both solutions provide
consumers with top opening packaging with a full width bag
opening, an easy pouring and an easy closing system. www.veriplast.com
Romer
Labs introduces new Fumonisin detection
methods
Romer Labs has
recently introduced its improved AgraQuant Fumonisin ELISA
test kit. According to the company, it includes shorter
incubation time and highly specific monoclonal antibodies for
improved accuracy, precision and testing time. The AgraQuant
Fumonisin is a very simple ELISA test kit that quantifies
Fumonisin within a range of 0.25 and 5 ppm in grain, DDGS
(distillers dried grains with solubles) and other commodities.
www.romerlabs.com
A-B-C's
introduces Model 136 sealer
A-B-C Packaging is
now offering its Model 136 case taper, a sealer that includes
safety guarding in the base price of the machine. According to
the company, the full-enclosure guards enclose the machine,
shielding employees from all dangerous operating mechanisms.
When a guard is opened the machine operation immediately
stops, thus helping packagers reduce liability, meet safety
standards and provide a safer plant environment. A-B-C also
states the Model 136 is designed to minimize employee
intervention, with all changeover adjustments completed by
hand cranks on the outside of the machine frame. The tape
system is positioned for quick and easy roll replenishment.
The sealer has a heavy stainless steel box frame, welded and
bolted for strength and durability. www.abcpackaging.com
Norwood / Allen Introduces their ACF-400 Carton
Coder
Norwood Marking
Systems/Allen Coding Systems has introduced their ACF-400
Carton Coder. Revealed at Pack Expo, the ACF-400 is
available with either thermal transfer or hot foil printing
technology and its off-line carton coder handles a wide range
of cartons, sleeves, blister packs and leaflets from 0.1 to 6
mm thick with quick changeovers, states the company. According
to Norwood/Allen, the ACF-400 is ideal for foods,
pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, chemicals and
other products. Norwood/Allen goes on to say that the ACF-400
can be changed over in only one minute with no tools and no
change parts. www.itw-norwood.com
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
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. Results may have implications for
dogs.
After
overnight fasts, subjects consumed five breakfast meals
containing 75 grams 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.
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.
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.
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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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