The tolerable daily intake for melamine is 0.2 mg per kg of body weight, a level set by international experts at a meeting organized by the World Health Organization.
The level is lower than previously suggested and is meant to help national authorities set safe limits in food for withdraw purposes if melamine is detected as the result of intentional contamination. This level represents the tolerable amount of unavoidable contaminant in food that may be ingested on a daily basis without appreciable health risk.
Melamine, a chemical compound, was the contaminant implicated in the 2007 petfood recalls.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Betagro Group adds new petfood brands
Betagro Group of Thailand aims to increase its share of the local petfood market in 2009 by launching new commercial feed for dogs, pet fish and fighting cocks under brands Okane, Primo and Rambo, respectively. Betagro, one of the country's leading integrated agro-industry businesses, plans a series of investments in feed and livestock in Cambodia and Laos to cash in on the improving economies of these neighboring countries.
These are the first foreign investments for the 41-year-old agro-industry group whose overall sales revenue is expected to reach 45 billion baht by end of 2008, according to a news release. Of the total, feed - a primary business of the group - will contribute 11 billion baht, a 10% increase over last year.
These are the first foreign investments for the 41-year-old agro-industry group whose overall sales revenue is expected to reach 45 billion baht by end of 2008, according to a news release. Of the total, feed - a primary business of the group - will contribute 11 billion baht, a 10% increase over last year.
U.S. recession affecting pet care
According to a recent U.S. study, Economy and Pet Care, from Brakke Consulting, the pet care industry is not completely recession proof.
The study, which surveyed 1,500 dog and cat owners and 225 companion animal veterinarians, found many pet owners are cutting back on purchases of pet products and services, impacting retail and veterinarian sectors.
According to the research, 46% of pet owners indicated their financial situation was worse in 2008 than in 2007. More than one fourth—27%—said the employment status of the main household wage earner declined during the past year. The impact was worse in the Midwest region of the U.S. than in other parts of the country and among families with annual household incomes under $50,000.
Services such as boarding, grooming and veterinary care took the biggest hits, according to the research. Average transaction charge barely will have grown in 2008, according to study results. For copies of the complete report, contact John Volk at jvolk@brakkeconsulting.com.
The study, which surveyed 1,500 dog and cat owners and 225 companion animal veterinarians, found many pet owners are cutting back on purchases of pet products and services, impacting retail and veterinarian sectors.
According to the research, 46% of pet owners indicated their financial situation was worse in 2008 than in 2007. More than one fourth—27%—said the employment status of the main household wage earner declined during the past year. The impact was worse in the Midwest region of the U.S. than in other parts of the country and among families with annual household incomes under $50,000.
Services such as boarding, grooming and veterinary care took the biggest hits, according to the research. Average transaction charge barely will have grown in 2008, according to study results. For copies of the complete report, contact John Volk at jvolk@brakkeconsulting.com.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Victam announces new events
Victam recently announced two events—Victam Asia 2010 & FIAAP Asia 2010 and GRAPAS Asia 2010, according to FeedLink .
The former will be held March 3-5 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, with a greater emphasis on biomass and bio-energy.
GRAPAS Asia 2010 will include suppliers of equipment, technology and ingredients for flour milling and grain and rice processing.
Petfood Forum Asia 2010, a WATT-sponsored conference, will be included in both of the above events.
The former will be held March 3-5 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand, with a greater emphasis on biomass and bio-energy.
GRAPAS Asia 2010 will include suppliers of equipment, technology and ingredients for flour milling and grain and rice processing.
Petfood Forum Asia 2010, a WATT-sponsored conference, will be included in both of the above events.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Champion pulls out of Australia
Champion Petfoods Ltd., a Canadian petfood producer, pulled out of the Australian market after finding health issues in cats that ate its Orijen brand food were caused by Australia’s irradiation process, according to a story from Pet Product News.
Previously, the company had issued a voluntary recall of the brand from Australia. According to Champion, six pallets of Orijen cat food were sold through Australian retailers between February and October 2008. Champion, based in Alberta, Canada, voluntarily recalled Orijen from Australian shelves November 20 due to multiple reports of cats that ate the food showing symptoms of neurological disorders.
Approximately 30 to 40 cats were affected and four or five cats were euthanized, said Peter Muhlenfeld, Champion sales and marketing manager. Champion tested the food and did not find any toxins, Muhlenfeld said. Australia is the only country using irradiation where Orijen is sold, so the company looked into irradiation as a possible source.
According to the company, the Australian government irradiated Orijen cat food at levels exceeding safe levels. Champion now prohibits selling to countries where its products will be irradiated.
Previously, the company had issued a voluntary recall of the brand from Australia. According to Champion, six pallets of Orijen cat food were sold through Australian retailers between February and October 2008. Champion, based in Alberta, Canada, voluntarily recalled Orijen from Australian shelves November 20 due to multiple reports of cats that ate the food showing symptoms of neurological disorders.
Approximately 30 to 40 cats were affected and four or five cats were euthanized, said Peter Muhlenfeld, Champion sales and marketing manager. Champion tested the food and did not find any toxins, Muhlenfeld said. Australia is the only country using irradiation where Orijen is sold, so the company looked into irradiation as a possible source.
According to the company, the Australian government irradiated Orijen cat food at levels exceeding safe levels. Champion now prohibits selling to countries where its products will be irradiated.
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