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November 6th, 2007
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Your free copy of the Petfood Industry Electronic Newsletter is sponsored by AFB International, maker of Optimizor® and BioFlavor® brand palatants. 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
Register online for Petfood Forum and Focus events
Registration for Petfood Forum Asia, Petfood Forum 2008 and Petfood Focus on Safety is now available via a new online system, accessible at www.petfoodindustry.com/petfoodforum.aspx.
Petfood Forum Asia will take place March 5, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand, in conjunction with Victam Asia 2008 (www.victam.com). Topics for Petfood Forum Asia include global and Asian petfood sales trends, petfood safety and traceability, and new and functional ingredients.
The US events at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, USA, are both scheduled for April. Petfood Forum 2008, April 14-16, features networking opportunities and exciting, informative sessions such as:
The Petfood Focus on Safety symposium, April 16-17, gives you an in-depth look at:
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.
Petfood Forum Asia will take place March 5, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand, in conjunction with Victam Asia 2008 (www.victam.com). Topics for Petfood Forum Asia include global and Asian petfood sales trends, petfood safety and traceability, and new and functional ingredients.
The US events at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, USA, are both scheduled for April. Petfood Forum 2008, April 14-16, features networking opportunities and exciting, informative sessions such as:
- Ingredient popularity and trends.
- Preventing brand theft.
- Packaging case study.
- The natural and organic markets.
- Sustainability and carbon footprints.
- Petfood safety management systems.
- Weight loss through prebiotics.
- Alternative petfoods and the melamine fall-out.
- Ranking the importance of private label worldwide.
- Managing palatability for treats.
- Global trade issues.
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The Petfood Focus on Safety symposium, April 16-17, gives you an in-depth look at:
- Crisis contingency planning.
- Good purchasing practices.
- Adverse event reporting and preferred vendors.
- Finding the right insurance.
- Case studies on quality/safety programs at a petfood supplier and a manufacturer.
- ISO 22000—the world’s most advanced food safety management system.
Plus, for the first time, the Focus symposium will include a panel discussion on the consumer connection: how best to communicate with consumers, especially during a safety crisis. Register NOW at www.petfoodindustry.com/petfoodforum.aspx
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Hills donates food, Iams establishes emergency helpline
Iams has established an emergency assistance helpline for Southern California pet owners affected or displaced by the wild fires devastating the area. Pet owners concerned about their animals, or dealing with evacuation-related issues due to the California wild fires, are being encouraged to call the Iams Pet Helpline at +1.800.508.9275 for information or to speak with a pet wellness professional. Animal care and veterinary health professionals will be available to answer questions on topics such as:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. shipped about 50,000 pounds of Science Diet and Prescription Diet to relief organizations in California to help feed displaced pets. Hill’s representatives are working with veterinary clinics and providing them food for dogs and cats that may be kenneled or have special needs and normally eat one of Hill’s Science Diet or Prescription Diet formulas.
- Smoke inhalation
- Evacuation/ emergency pet preparedness
- Emergency pet feeding and hydration
- Superficial wound care or other injuries
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. shipped about 50,000 pounds of Science Diet and Prescription Diet to relief organizations in California to help feed displaced pets. Hill’s representatives are working with veterinary clinics and providing them food for dogs and cats that may be kenneled or have special needs and normally eat one of Hill’s Science Diet or Prescription Diet formulas.
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Del Monte to expand Topeka plant
Del Monte plans to build a distribution center near its existing Topeka, Kansas, USA petfood plant. The new 427,000 square foot addition will provide much needed space for finished goods, give the company an opportunity to bid more projects and invest more money in new processes, according to plant manager Chris Koerber. The expansion will also bring with it an addition of 80 jobs, says Del Monte. The company is looking forward to groundbreaking in the spring of 2008.
Purina to boost production in Flagstaff
The Purina petfood plant in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA plans to boost production by 20%, add 50 new warehouse and production workers, and build an addition to its existing warehouse. Company officials say work on the 91,000 square foot warehouse expansion should begin in January 2008, with the warehouse expected to open in early 2009. According to plant manager Bill Calloway, the expansion will help the facility better serve customers in Western states and meet added demand.
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Menu Foods to test for painkiller in cat food
According to ConsumerAffairs.com and ExperTox Analytical Laboratories, recent laboratory tests have detected the pain killer acetaminophen in another brand of petfood. The findings came in a composite of three flavors of Menu Foods' Special Kitty food: Special Kitty with beef and gravy, Special Kitty mixed grill in gravy and Special Kitty with turkey and gibblets in gravy. The tests were performed in early October by ExperTox, who also detected the toxin of melamine in the cat food.
After ExperTox Analytical Laboratory detected acetaminophen in a composite of three flavors of Menu Food's Special Kitty Food, Menu Foods announced it will conduct tests of its own.
The samples were taken from a Rhode Island, USA pet owner who bought the Special Kitty food in February - one month before Menu announced the nationwide recall. According to the pet owner, she sent the food in the original, unopened pouches which she'd saved since March and stored in her freezer after her cats fell ill.
The organization The Pet Food Products Safety Alliance paid ExperTox to test the pet owner's cat food. The results of that test, (both acetaminophen and melamine were detected in the samples, according to ExperTox) have led Menu Foods to announce that it will test samples of the products used in the composite sample as soon as possible.
After ExperTox Analytical Laboratory detected acetaminophen in a composite of three flavors of Menu Food's Special Kitty Food, Menu Foods announced it will conduct tests of its own.
The samples were taken from a Rhode Island, USA pet owner who bought the Special Kitty food in February - one month before Menu announced the nationwide recall. According to the pet owner, she sent the food in the original, unopened pouches which she'd saved since March and stored in her freezer after her cats fell ill.
The organization The Pet Food Products Safety Alliance paid ExperTox to test the pet owner's cat food. The results of that test, (both acetaminophen and melamine were detected in the samples, according to ExperTox) have led Menu Foods to announce that it will test samples of the products used in the composite sample as soon as possible.
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Pedigree TV ad banned by the ASA
The Advertising Standards Association (ASA) has upheld complaints, including one from Burns Pet Nutrition, against a TV advertisement by Mars Petcare for its Pedigree Joint Care Plus dog food. Four viewers challenged whether the commercial had exaggerated the likely benefits of the dog food and could exploit vulnerable viewers. Burns Pet Nutrition challenged whether the ad implied that the product provided a medicinal benefit by treating or curing joint stiffness.
As part of its defense, Mars presented details of two clinical trials it had carried out on dogs using Joint Care Plus. The company said the trials showed that, after six weeks of taking the product once a day, 72% of the dogs had demonstrated improved mobility.
In the opinion of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the dramatic difference in the mobility of the dog in the commercial before and after eating Joint Care Plus implied that the product would have a medicinal effect. VMD did not request withdrawal of the ad because it was intended to run for a short period of time and Mars had agreed to take into account the view of the VMD in future advertisements.
The ASA concluded that the Pedigree ad “misleadingly implied the product could provide medicinal benefit to those dogs suffering from joint damage and discomfort, by treating or curing that condition” and therefore exaggerated the likely benefits of the product. The advertisement has been banned by the ASA.
As part of its defense, Mars presented details of two clinical trials it had carried out on dogs using Joint Care Plus. The company said the trials showed that, after six weeks of taking the product once a day, 72% of the dogs had demonstrated improved mobility.
In the opinion of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the dramatic difference in the mobility of the dog in the commercial before and after eating Joint Care Plus implied that the product would have a medicinal effect. VMD did not request withdrawal of the ad because it was intended to run for a short period of time and Mars had agreed to take into account the view of the VMD in future advertisements.
The ASA concluded that the Pedigree ad “misleadingly implied the product could provide medicinal benefit to those dogs suffering from joint damage and discomfort, by treating or curing that condition” and therefore exaggerated the likely benefits of the product. The advertisement has been banned by the ASA.
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Premium petfoods drive Nestlé sales in Europe
Nestlé PetCare has reported sales of £3,700million for the first nine months of 2007 and 7.1% organic growth. The company attributes its strong performance to the movement of its portfolio towards the premium and superpremium petfood market segments.
Nestlé overall sales for January to September were up 9% on the same period last year. Real internal growth in its Petcare Division is reported at 4.1%. Top performing brands included Pro Plan and Bakers Complete.
Nestlé overall sales for January to September were up 9% on the same period last year. Real internal growth in its Petcare Division is reported at 4.1%. Top performing brands included Pro Plan and Bakers Complete.
Century Extrusion wins safety award
The Society of Plastics Industry Inc. has given Century Extrusion a Special Recognition award for exceeding national safety standards. The Special Recognition Award acknowledges Century Extrusion as plant with above-average safety performance, which is better than the national average for their Standard Industrial Classification code for 2006. The company holds monthly safety team meetings, employs a safety administrator and safety coordinator, and has technical advisers assigned to supervise safety implementation and training in each manufacturing cell.
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» 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.
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New opportunities for manufacturers of pet food and pet care products
According to the latest Euromonitor International report, new Japanese pet owners prefer pure breeds and smaller pets and are choosing to keep these pets indoors.
This change in the market presents new opportunities for manufacturers. Each dog type has diseases or health problems common to its breed. For example, the Miniature Dachshund is prone to hernias of the intervertebral disc due to its size, whereas the Toy Poodle often suffers from skin problems due to its volume of fur. Manufacturers may look to develop specially blended food to prevent diseases in specific dog breeds.
The increasing number of indoor dogs and cats may prompt manufacturers to develop more stress-reducing products. Since most indoor dogs and cats are kept in the same environment everyday and not given exercise, reducing stress is important.
Euromonitor International publishes petfood and pet care reports on 52 national markets. Click here for more information about petfood and pet care reports from Euromonitor International and to buy reports online.
http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_Food_And_Pet_Care_Products?DCMP=AFC-petfoodemail
According to the latest Euromonitor International report, new Japanese pet owners prefer pure breeds and smaller pets and are choosing to keep these pets indoors.
This change in the market presents new opportunities for manufacturers. Each dog type has diseases or health problems common to its breed. For example, the Miniature Dachshund is prone to hernias of the intervertebral disc due to its size, whereas the Toy Poodle often suffers from skin problems due to its volume of fur. Manufacturers may look to develop specially blended food to prevent diseases in specific dog breeds.
The increasing number of indoor dogs and cats may prompt manufacturers to develop more stress-reducing products. Since most indoor dogs and cats are kept in the same environment everyday and not given exercise, reducing stress is important.
Euromonitor International publishes petfood and pet care reports on 52 national markets. Click here for more information about petfood and pet care reports from Euromonitor International and to buy reports online.
http://www.euromonitor.com/Pet_Food_And_Pet_Care_Products?DCMP=AFC-petfoodemail
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» PRODUCT NEWS
TFT bag sealer from Doboy
Doboy Inc., a division of Bosch Packaging Technology, has introduced the TFT Bag Sealer for woven polypropylene bags. The TFT Sealer trims, folds and tapes woven polypropylene bagging material to provide a sturdy, durable seal, yet easy to open, according to the company. The double fold closure features a fold depth of 1.25 inches secured with 2 inch wide case sealing. The double fold tape is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures, and the sealing method provides a sift-proof closure to prevent leakage during shipping and storage. The TFT comes equipped with a standard Allen-Bradley programmable logic controller (PLC) and human-machine-interface (HMI) touch screen. With a high speed of 150 feet per minute, the TFT unit is suited for automatic feeding and is easily integrated into most high speed automatic bagging lines. www.doboy.com
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Aflatoxin test and improved lateral flow reader
Neogen has developed Reveal for Aflatoxin SQ, a quantitative text that determines the general level of possible aflatoxin contamination in corn. According to the company, the tester immerses a test strip into a sample after a simple extraction and in five minutes Reveal can return sample test results in the ranges of: less than 10 parts per billion (ppb); 10 to 20 ppb; or greater than 20 ppb using the Reveal AccuScan III System. AccuScan provides an easy method to objectively read, store and analyze results from Neogen’s line of lateral flow tests, according to the company. The system consists of a lateral flow test reader combined with a personal data assistant (PDA) and intuitive data management computer software. www.neogen.com
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The completely hydraulic NuTEC 750
NuTEC Manufacturing offers an operator friendly, completely hydraulic, hose-proof, multi-hole patty former. The NuTEC 750 features a rotation spiral that moves the products to a rotary vane pump, eliminating overworking, bridging and backflow while maintaining texture, according to the company. The 750 vane pump feeds directly to the mold plate cavity, with a useable mold width of 19 inches, the patty former can portion certain items at over 4,800 pounds per hour. www.nutecmfg.com
FortiFeedFLO to improve handling in processing
GTC Nutrition has introduced FortiFeedFLO prebiotic fiber blend, a line extension of FortiFeed short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) prebiotic fiber, to improve handling in animal feed and petfood processing. FortiFeedFLO helps support digestive health, immune health, solubility and dispersion, according to the company. GTC manufactures, distributes and markets FortiFeedFLO throughout North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. www.fortifeed.com
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» RESEARCH NEWS
Control of fat: lean body composition
Immune and inflammatory factors are linked to the control of fat:lean body composition, according to an increasing body of literature. Recent progress in understanding the control of body composition has been made through identification of inflammatory cytokines and other factors produced by adipose tissue which affect body composition, often by direct effects on skeletal muscle tissue.
Adipose-derived factors such as leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, resistin and adiponectin have been shown to affect muscle metabolism and/or protein dynamics by direct actions. This paper summarizes recent results that support the existence of a reciprocal muscle-to-fat signaling pathway involving release of the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) from muscle tissue.
Cell culture studies, short-term in vivo studies and human genotype association studies all support the model that muscle-derived IL-15 can decrease fat deposition and adipocyte metabolism via a muscle-to-fat endocrine pathway. Fat:lean body composition is an important factor determining the efficiency of meat production, as well as the fat content of meat products. Modulation of the IL-15 signaling axis may be a novel mechanism to impact body composition in meat animal production.
Adipose-derived factors such as leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, resistin and adiponectin have been shown to affect muscle metabolism and/or protein dynamics by direct actions. This paper summarizes recent results that support the existence of a reciprocal muscle-to-fat signaling pathway involving release of the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) from muscle tissue.
Cell culture studies, short-term in vivo studies and human genotype association studies all support the model that muscle-derived IL-15 can decrease fat deposition and adipocyte metabolism via a muscle-to-fat endocrine pathway. Fat:lean body composition is an important factor determining the efficiency of meat production, as well as the fat content of meat products. Modulation of the IL-15 signaling axis may be a novel mechanism to impact body composition in meat animal production.
Source: L.S. Quinn, 2007. J. Anim. Sci. 0458v1.
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New feline obesity findings
While obesity was once considered merely an aesthetic issue, or perhaps a contribution to lameness through increased weight-bearing, it is now recognized as an inflammatory condition. Dr. Anne Hickman, DVM, PhD, DACVN, discussed advances in knowledge about the endocrine function of obese adipose tissue. Hormones and inflammatory cytokines released from the adipose tissue are collectively known as adipokines.
According to Dr. Hickman, “Adipokines play important and diverse role in multiple facets of normal metabolism and physiology. Adipokines can become dysregulated in obesity and may have direct causal links to many of the associated abnormalities.” Thus, these hormones and other substances secreted from body fat tissue can directly contribute to diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis.
According to Dr. Hickman, “Adipokines play important and diverse role in multiple facets of normal metabolism and physiology. Adipokines can become dysregulated in obesity and may have direct causal links to many of the associated abnormalities.” Thus, these hormones and other substances secreted from body fat tissue can directly contribute to diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis.
Source: A. Hickman, 2007. 13th Nestlé Purina Nutrition Forum, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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» POSITIONS AVAILABLE
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.
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Slide-Rite Account Manager
COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Pactiv is a $3.0 Billion dollar consumer packaging company located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Pactiv’s Hefty® brand is one of the nation’s most widely recognized brands. More than 80% of Pactiv’s sales come from market sectors in which we hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market position. Please see the attached Company profile for additional information or our website at www.pactiv.com.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This is an entry level sales position based out of our Corporate Headquarters in Lake Forest, IL. We are an international organization focused on the sale of the Slide-Rite® patented closure system and proprietary attachment equipment. Our customer base includes large consumer packaged goods companies such as Sargento, Masterfoods, and Perdue. This is a technical sale typically requiring a consultative selling approach.
We are rapidly growing without losing our entrepreneurial feel. As a result, the position is highly visible and offers the opportunity to quickly gain a wide range of experience and responsibility.
For the selected individual, we offer a competitive salary and benefits, company car, very lucrative incentive plan and an extensive training program.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- BS in Packaging
- Demonstrated project management skills.
- Ability to effectively communicate to a wide range of audiences required.
- Must be willing to travel overnight approximately 25-60%.
- Knowledge of high speed machinery and packaging machinery is a plus
- Basic knowledge of polymer materials preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership in extra-curricular activities strongly preferred.
Send resume and cover letter: Chad Rupert - crupert@pactiv.com
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.
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» 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
Your free copy of the Petfood Industry Electronic Newsletter is sponsored by AFB International, maker of Optimizor® and BioFlavor® brand palatants. 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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©2007 All rights reserved.
303 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101 USA
©2007 All rights reserved.