 |
January 3rd, 2008
 |
| Home | | | News Archives | | | Online Directory | | | REGISTER NOW | | | Subscribe | | | Contact Us | | | Online Seminars |
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.
» INDUSTRY NEWS
Early-bird registration for Petfood Forum events ending soon!
Take advantage of early-bird specials while you still can and register for Petfood Forum Asia, Petfood Forum 2008 and Petfood Focus on Safety by January 15, 2008, to save more than 15% off of the price. If you register for both Petfood Forum 2008 and Petfood Focus on Safety you will receive a discount of 25%.
Petfood Forum Asia takes place for the first time ever on March 5, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand, in conjunction with Victam Asia. Keynote speakers for this highly anticipated, international event include:
- Maria Trombly, Trombly Ltd. — global and Asian petfood sales trends.
- Julie Lenzer Kirk, Interstates Companies — petfood safety and traceability.
- David Southey, Southey Consultants Ltd. — advances in pet nutrition.
- Dr. Anton Beynen, Vobra — new and functional ingredients.
- Chris Nelson, Kemin — dvances in palatability.
- Brian Kim, E-mart — the future of petfood retailing.
- Will Henry, Extru-Tech — treat extrusion.
Registration for Petfood Forum Asia, Petfood Forum 2008 and Petfood Focus on Safety is available online at:
www.petfoodindustry.com/petfoodforum.aspx.
Register today!
Register today!
ADVERTISEMENT
FDA funding, scientific capability questioned
For its new fiscal year, which started October 1, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is scheduled to receive 12% more in food-safety funding than it had for fiscal 2007 - but with much of that increase already spent or subject to conditions. The US Congress has included US$513 million - an increase of US$56 million over the previous year - for FDA food safety programs in a spending bill. According to a December 18 USA Today article, half of the funding increase will go to annual cost increases like pay raises, while the other half won't be available until July. And that money is subject to Congressional approval of a performance plan.
Meanwhile, a report by an advisory group of academics and executives from the food and drug industries voiced concerns that the inadequate funding, among other factors, could be putting American lives at risk. FDA: Science and Mission at Risk, commissioned by FDA commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach a year ago, was presented to the agency in early December, according to an article in Nature magazine.
"The impact of the scientific deficiency is profound precisely because science is at the heart of everything the FDA does," the report reads. "The agency will flounder and ultimately fail without a strong scientific foundation."
The report recommends a doubling of funding within two years. "If the agency had no new responsibilities, it would be inadequately funded," says William Hubbard, a former FDA associate commissioner. He adds that with the agency's additional responsibilities in the wake of the petfood recalls and other recent crises, which has led to increased workloads in terms of food imports and other areas, the situation is dire.
In addition to the "systematic lack of funding that has gone on for a very long time," says Scott Gottlieb, former FDA deputy commissioner, "the complexity of its work and the risks inherent in the products it oversees have grown so much in the past few decades." Part of the problem, these experts say, is that the agency struggles to recruit and retain enough qualified personnel. Hubbard testified to Congress that the FDA has lost 1,000 food safety staff in the past decade, USA Today reports.
Meanwhile, a report by an advisory group of academics and executives from the food and drug industries voiced concerns that the inadequate funding, among other factors, could be putting American lives at risk. FDA: Science and Mission at Risk, commissioned by FDA commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach a year ago, was presented to the agency in early December, according to an article in Nature magazine.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The impact of the scientific deficiency is profound precisely because science is at the heart of everything the FDA does," the report reads. "The agency will flounder and ultimately fail without a strong scientific foundation."
The report recommends a doubling of funding within two years. "If the agency had no new responsibilities, it would be inadequately funded," says William Hubbard, a former FDA associate commissioner. He adds that with the agency's additional responsibilities in the wake of the petfood recalls and other recent crises, which has led to increased workloads in terms of food imports and other areas, the situation is dire.
In addition to the "systematic lack of funding that has gone on for a very long time," says Scott Gottlieb, former FDA deputy commissioner, "the complexity of its work and the risks inherent in the products it oversees have grown so much in the past few decades." Part of the problem, these experts say, is that the agency struggles to recruit and retain enough qualified personnel. Hubbard testified to Congress that the FDA has lost 1,000 food safety staff in the past decade, USA Today reports.
ADVERTISEMENT
UK local council votes down new petfood factory
After eight months of protest by a residents' association, Butcher's Pet Care's plans to build a new factory in Coton Meadows, Rugby, United Kingdom, have been voted down by the borough council planning committee.
The committee initially approved the plans, a decision met with outrage and hundreds of complaints from residents and businesses. But in a December 19 heated council meeting and debate, the committee voted 6-5 against approval.
Based at Castle Mound Way in Central Park, the building has created huge publicity since plans were first revealed earlier in 2007. Open 24/7 and measuring almost 15,000 sq.ft. the factory would help produce the company's range of petfood products. The site would include a 100-foot-high chimney clearly visible from the site in most directions across Rugby. The council received more than 700 complaints from residents opposing the plans, citing various fears over odors, emissions and potential environmental harm to the town. Councilors and other business groups also objected, while prestigious businesses in the area said they would consider leaving if the factory was built.
Butcher's had bussed in a large number of staff for the council meeting. After the "no" vote, the company issued a statement: "We are disappointed that we have not been able to secure approval for our development. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the detail of the decision and will consider the options available."
The committee initially approved the plans, a decision met with outrage and hundreds of complaints from residents and businesses. But in a December 19 heated council meeting and debate, the committee voted 6-5 against approval.
ADVERTISEMENT
Based at Castle Mound Way in Central Park, the building has created huge publicity since plans were first revealed earlier in 2007. Open 24/7 and measuring almost 15,000 sq.ft. the factory would help produce the company's range of petfood products. The site would include a 100-foot-high chimney clearly visible from the site in most directions across Rugby. The council received more than 700 complaints from residents opposing the plans, citing various fears over odors, emissions and potential environmental harm to the town. Councilors and other business groups also objected, while prestigious businesses in the area said they would consider leaving if the factory was built.
Butcher's had bussed in a large number of staff for the council meeting. After the "no" vote, the company issued a statement: "We are disappointed that we have not been able to secure approval for our development. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the detail of the decision and will consider the options available."
ADVERTISEMENT
New varieties and packaging driving wet petfood growth
According to RetailWire.com, growth in the US wet dog food retail sector is coming from smaller cans, and gourmet and premium SKUs. Cans of 6 ounces and less are seeing substantial growth, while 20 ounce cans and larger have recently been on the decline. In terms of price, super premium and gourmet now comprise just over half of wet dog food sales, with the super premium segment hitting as much as 10% annual growth in recent years.
The US wet cat food market is being driven by small cans and premium brands as well. Consumers are showing a strong preference for the smaller sized cans. According to RetailWire.com, the under 5 ounce cans are the fastest growing SKUs, while the 10 ounce and larger cans are on a downward trend. Premium brands dominate wet cat food, commanding about three-quarters of dollar sales, with only 15% coming from super premium varieties.
Package types – particularly multipacks – are also seeing rapid gains in both dog and cat wet food. Single cans and pouches still make up about three-quarters of wet dog and wet cat food dollar sales, but new bundled options for pouches and cans are shifting the balance of sales.
The US wet cat food market is being driven by small cans and premium brands as well. Consumers are showing a strong preference for the smaller sized cans. According to RetailWire.com, the under 5 ounce cans are the fastest growing SKUs, while the 10 ounce and larger cans are on a downward trend. Premium brands dominate wet cat food, commanding about three-quarters of dollar sales, with only 15% coming from super premium varieties.
Package types – particularly multipacks – are also seeing rapid gains in both dog and cat wet food. Single cans and pouches still make up about three-quarters of wet dog and wet cat food dollar sales, but new bundled options for pouches and cans are shifting the balance of sales.
ADVERTISEMENT
North Carolina to help FDA craft better food safety
The safety of imported food products shipped to US shores is on American consumer’s minds more than ever. Inspectors with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture have been routinely monitoring imported and domestically produced products on grocery shelves since 2005. This program is one reason North Carolina was recently asked to join four other states in helping the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develop a better system for ensuring food safety. State and local agencies currently conduct about 80% of food safety inspections nationally, but the frequency and quality of such checks vary greatly from state to state.
In North Carolina, food safety officers do weekly “secret shops” to buy items on a watch list. Products are then sent to the state’s food safety laboratory in Raleigh, where they are tested for bacteria, pesticides and other potentially harmful contaminants. Since starting its surveillance program in 2005, the state has found staphylococcus, E. coli and salmonella bacteria in cheeses, undeclared allergens in imported raisins and illegal antibiotics in foreign-raised fish. In each case, the state’s tests led to recalls. The state activated its “food defense” system this year after an outbreak of botulism triggered a national recall of wet dog food, canned chili and beef stew manufactured by Castleberry Food. The effort recovered 35,000 cans of food. North Carolina collected more cans of the contaminated products than FDA recovered in all 49 other US states. Essentially, the food surveillance program attempts to stay one step ahead of such problems by finding contaminated foods before they make people or pets sick.
About 15% of the nation’s food supply is imported, and the amount is growing. Yet only about 1% of imported goods are ever tested for possible contamination, according to the FDA. Sean McKeon, president of the N.C. Fisheries Association, describes the United States’ poor oversight of imports as “a time bomb waiting to go off.” His group believes the only way to change that is for the US to establish laws that require foreign producers to meet the same food safety standards as American producers. US Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina has introduced a bill that would set such standards and the federal government is continuing to work with China to improve the quality of imported goods.
DAD’S Pet care, a rapidly growing, family owned petfood company in western Pennsylvania is looking for a Food Technologist. The successful candidate will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field and 5 years of product development experience. This position is responsible for product development and nutritional adequacy of assigned products. This includes development of formulas for new products, improving the palatability of existing products and establishing specifications for finished products and raw ingredients. This is a “hands on” position working closely with marketing and manufacturing to see product developments and product changes through from inception to production.
Company Description:
Cady Bag Co.,LLC is a family owned business that started in 1957 and is vertically integrated in the manufacturing of woven polypropylene for flexible packaging, mainly for agricultural and industrial applications. Cady has plans to enter the petfood industry by mid 2008.
SPF North America, Inc., the worldwide leader of palatability solutions for the pet food industry is seeking a MARKETING MANAGER. Primary responsibilities will be management of projects related to product development, range management, market intelligence and communication. Qualifications include a minimum of B.S. in chemistry, animal science, biological science or biochemistry and minimum of five years experience as project manager. Experience in pet food field and/or companion animal business is preferred. Submit your resume, with salary requirements, to HR Manager at jgehler@spf-usa.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
In North Carolina, food safety officers do weekly “secret shops” to buy items on a watch list. Products are then sent to the state’s food safety laboratory in Raleigh, where they are tested for bacteria, pesticides and other potentially harmful contaminants. Since starting its surveillance program in 2005, the state has found staphylococcus, E. coli and salmonella bacteria in cheeses, undeclared allergens in imported raisins and illegal antibiotics in foreign-raised fish. In each case, the state’s tests led to recalls. The state activated its “food defense” system this year after an outbreak of botulism triggered a national recall of wet dog food, canned chili and beef stew manufactured by Castleberry Food. The effort recovered 35,000 cans of food. North Carolina collected more cans of the contaminated products than FDA recovered in all 49 other US states. Essentially, the food surveillance program attempts to stay one step ahead of such problems by finding contaminated foods before they make people or pets sick.
ADVERTISEMENT
About 15% of the nation’s food supply is imported, and the amount is growing. Yet only about 1% of imported goods are ever tested for possible contamination, according to the FDA. Sean McKeon, president of the N.C. Fisheries Association, describes the United States’ poor oversight of imports as “a time bomb waiting to go off.” His group believes the only way to change that is for the US to establish laws that require foreign producers to meet the same food safety standards as American producers. US Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina has introduced a bill that would set such standards and the federal government is continuing to work with China to improve the quality of imported goods.
SPONSOR
» MARKET DATA
Each month the Petfood Industry E-newsletter will bring you the latest market data available from several different sources including Euromonitor International, Packaged Facts, Information Resources Inc. (IRI) and ACNielsen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Petfood - Retail Value RSP - US$ mn |
Forecast |
||
|
2002 |
2007 |
2012 |
Japan |
|
|
|
Petfood and pet care products |
4250.7 |
4658.9 |
5492 |
Dog and cat food |
3216 |
3348.4 |
3768.3 |
|
|
|
|
Sources: |
©2008 Euromonitor International |
Functional petfood in demand in developed Asian markets
The petfood and pet care market in developed Asian markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore is increasingly being driven by many of the same underlying trends as other developed markets in North America and Western Europe. The humanization of dogs and cats into family life has bolstered consumers' willingness in these Asian markets to increase their expenditure on functional petfood.
Bolstered by the beginnings of economic recovery after several years of stagnation, this humanization trend is leading Japanese pet owners to increase demand for premium specialty food to maximize pet health. Japanese consumers are particularly familiar with functional food for humans, which has been transferred to the country's dog and cat food market.
Weight gain after 28 days was less in CLA-fed animals than in HOSF-fed animals. Both CLA and Nutrim increased the body water content. CLA reduced total body fat and epidydymal fat but Nutrim did not. No interaction of CLA and fiber was detected. Therefore researchers concluded that under the present experimental conditions dietary CLA and fiber do not interact to reduce body fat deposition.
Source: M. Javadi, et al, 2007. J Anim. Physiology and Nutr. 91: 492-497.
The petfood and pet care market in developed Asian markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore is increasingly being driven by many of the same underlying trends as other developed markets in North America and Western Europe. The humanization of dogs and cats into family life has bolstered consumers' willingness in these Asian markets to increase their expenditure on functional petfood.
Bolstered by the beginnings of economic recovery after several years of stagnation, this humanization trend is leading Japanese pet owners to increase demand for premium specialty food to maximize pet health. Japanese consumers are particularly familiar with functional food for humans, which has been transferred to the country's dog and cat food market.
ADVERTISEMENT
» PRODUCT NEWS
Robotic case packer/palletizer
Schneider Packaging Equipment's robotic case packer/palletizer has a footprint, depending on configuration, that can be less than 175 square feet. Using the ControLogiz controller to integrate all components, cases are automatically erected, then loaded with product, sealed, labeled and palletized in one system cell. This allows operators to stack case blanks and supply the labeler, from outside the guarding enclosures. www.schneiderequip.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
Integrated packaging solution
Doboy, a Bosch Technology company, has introduced a packaging line that emphasizes integrated packaging solutions and a “one-stop-shop” approach. The packaging line consists of three machines: the Cobra Carton Former, the Linium 301 Horizontal Flow Wrapper and the Presto Top Loader. Products on the packaging line are wrapped by the Linium 301 Flow Wrapper which uses flat wound roll stock film and creates a fin seal, crimped-end wrapper. The Cobra Carton Former offers flexibility with hot melt, lock or simplex carton style forming on a small footprint. The Top Loader collates wrapped products being fed from the Linium 301 and places them in formed cartons for the Cobra. www.doboy.com
ADVERTISEMENT
Incorporated call planning
Plan all customer and vendor interactions, track completion of calls, enter notes and schedule follow-up calls on screen as part of the order processing process in an integrated solution from CSB-Systems. The calling system uses caller-ID recognition in conjunction with CSB-System Phonemaster Technology. All supportive information during calls is readily available, such as last orders, promotional pricing and accounts receivable information. www.csb-systems.com
ADVERTISEMENT
Super sacks from Ingredient Masters
Replace paper bags with Ingredient Masters FIBCs – Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers, or “super sacks.” These hygienic bags are manufactured from woven polypropylene, have high tensile strength and hold approximately 2,000 pounds of ingredient, according to the company. They are designed to be handled with forklifts, which eliminates the stressors and tearing of paper bags. www.ingredientmasters.com
ADVERTISEMENT
» RESEARCH NEWS
Effects of CLA and fiber on body fat
Feeding mice conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat. Soluble fiber decreases apparent lipid digestibility. This study examined whether a combination of dietary CLA and soluble fiber would further decrease the proportion of body fat than a diet with CLA alone.
Researchers fed mice diets with CLA and different amounts of Nutrim, containing 10% soluble fiber. CLA was added to the control diet at the expense of high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSF) component. Nutrim was added at the expense of isonenergetic combination of starch, dextrose and cellulose. The diets were fed for 28 days.
Researchers fed mice diets with CLA and different amounts of Nutrim, containing 10% soluble fiber. CLA was added to the control diet at the expense of high oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSF) component. Nutrim was added at the expense of isonenergetic combination of starch, dextrose and cellulose. The diets were fed for 28 days.
ADVERTISEMENT
Weight gain after 28 days was less in CLA-fed animals than in HOSF-fed animals. Both CLA and Nutrim increased the body water content. CLA reduced total body fat and epidydymal fat but Nutrim did not. No interaction of CLA and fiber was detected. Therefore researchers concluded that under the present experimental conditions dietary CLA and fiber do not interact to reduce body fat deposition.
Source: M. Javadi, et al, 2007. J Anim. Physiology and Nutr. 91: 492-497.
ADVERTISEMENT
Effect of package light transmittance on the vitamin content
Pasteurized whole milk (3% fat) was stored under fluorescent light at 8°C in clear one liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and three variants of pigmented PET bottles with different light transmittance. Changes in the vitamin content were monitored over a period of 10 days.
Milk packed in pigmented PET bottles with the lowest light transmittance, which was stored in the dark under the same experimental conditions, served as the control sample. Data were obtained for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) content. Standard plate counts were determined to ensure an acceptable microbiological status of the pasteurized milk during the sampling period.
In clear PET bottles a reduction of 22% of the initial content was observed for vitamin A and 33% for vitamin B2, while the vitamin B12 content remained almost stable. In all pigmented PET bottles the vitamin retention was significantly higher; the losses were 0-6% for vitamin A and 11-20% for vitamin B2, depending on the pigmentation level, as compared to 6% for vitamin A and no significant loss for vitamin B2 in the control sample. An impact of the package light transmittance on the vitamin B12 content could not be observed.
Source: A. Saffert , et al, 2007. Tetra Pak GmbH, International Packaging Research Laboratories, Untere Waldplätze 27, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
Milk packed in pigmented PET bottles with the lowest light transmittance, which was stored in the dark under the same experimental conditions, served as the control sample. Data were obtained for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) content. Standard plate counts were determined to ensure an acceptable microbiological status of the pasteurized milk during the sampling period.
ADVERTISEMENT
In clear PET bottles a reduction of 22% of the initial content was observed for vitamin A and 33% for vitamin B2, while the vitamin B12 content remained almost stable. In all pigmented PET bottles the vitamin retention was significantly higher; the losses were 0-6% for vitamin A and 11-20% for vitamin B2, depending on the pigmentation level, as compared to 6% for vitamin A and no significant loss for vitamin B2 in the control sample. An impact of the package light transmittance on the vitamin B12 content could not be observed.
Source: A. Saffert , et al, 2007. Tetra Pak GmbH, International Packaging Research Laboratories, Untere Waldplätze 27, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
ADVERTISEMENT
» POSITIONS AVAILABLE
DAD’S Pet care, a rapidly growing, family owned petfood company in western Pennsylvania is looking for a Food Technologist. The successful candidate will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field and 5 years of product development experience. This position is responsible for product development and nutritional adequacy of assigned products. This includes development of formulas for new products, improving the palatability of existing products and establishing specifications for finished products and raw ingredients. This is a “hands on” position working closely with marketing and manufacturing to see product developments and product changes through from inception to production.
Interested candidates should send their resume to:
Joy Sherry
DAD's Pet Care
18746 Mill Street
E-mail: jsherry@dadspetcare.com
ADVERTISEMENT
Company Description:
Cady Bag Co.,LLC is a family owned business that started in 1957 and is vertically integrated in the manufacturing of woven polypropylene for flexible packaging, mainly for agricultural and industrial applications. Cady has plans to enter the petfood industry by mid 2008.
Position Description / Qualifications:
- Market Manager/Sales Rep self-motivated person
- Person to get involved on ground floor of marketing Cady’s products
- Salary plus commissions with benefits
- Sales rep with 3 plus years experience selling to pet food manufactures
- College a plus but not required
- Can work from home but close to major airport
- Willing to travel as needed and has good transportation
Send resume with salary requirements to:
Cady Bag Co., LLC
P.O. Box 68
Pearson, GA 31642
Attn: William or william@cadybag.com
ADVERTISEMENT
Marketing Manager for SPF
SPF North America, Inc., the worldwide leader of palatability solutions for the pet food industry is seeking a MARKETING MANAGER. Primary responsibilities will be management of projects related to product development, range management, market intelligence and communication. Qualifications include a minimum of B.S. in chemistry, animal science, biological science or biochemistry and minimum of five years experience as project manager. Experience in pet food field and/or companion animal business is preferred. Submit your resume, with salary requirements, to HR Manager at jgehler@spf-usa.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
» 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 post your thoughts on the Petfood Industry discussion forums online at www.petfoodindustry.com.
We are always interested in hearing your ideas about the value of this newsletter, or whether you have any problems downloading or viewing this document. If you would like to discontinue your free subscription to this newsletter, or if you have additional E-mail addresses to add or remove from our subscriber list, please contact Petfoodindustry@wattnet.com.
Have questions or comments about what you’ve just read? E-mail the editor at editor@petfoodindustry.com or post your thoughts on the Petfood Industry discussion forums online at www.petfoodindustry.com.
We are always interested in hearing your ideas about the value of this newsletter, or whether you have any problems downloading or viewing this document. If you would like to discontinue your free subscription to this newsletter, or if you have additional E-mail addresses to add or remove from our subscriber list, please contact Petfoodindustry@wattnet.com.
» CALENDAR
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.
WATT · Knowledge · Solutions · Success
303 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101 USA
©2007 All rights reserved.
303 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101 USA
©2007 All rights reserved.