2012 Pet Fair Asia co-locates with Petfood Forum Asia, registration now open

Registration for Pet Fair Asia, which will be held in China in October, is now open, allowing industry professionals to register to attend the pet trade show event, which will also be co-located for the first time with Petfood Forum China.
With 2.68 million pet dogs and 1.07 million pet cats, China's pet market is expected to increase 7.7 percent each year to US$476 million in 2015, according to Euromonitor International. Pet Fair Asia, taking place at the Shaghai World Exhibition and Convention Center, October 11-14, will serve as a platform for international pet industry members to meet with leading manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors and agents in China, as well as purchase the latest pet products from China.
In addition, Petfood Industry's Petfood Forum China, co-located with Pet Fair Asia in Shanghai, China, will provide an opportunity for industry members to gain insight and information on the demands of petfood and treat manufacturers. Petfood Forum China will be held on October 12.

More than 100,000 sign ASPCA 'No Pet Store Puppies' pledge

More than 100,000 consumers have taken the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' “No Pet Store Puppies” pledge to help fight puppy mill cruelty by refusing to shop at pet stores and on websites that sell puppies.
The national campaign, launched in July 2011, raises awareness about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills, with the goal of reducing the demand for puppy mill puppies by urging consumers not to purchase any pet products from a store or website that sells puppies. 
The pledge milestone was reached four days after the US Department of Agriculture proposed a new rule that would increase federal oversight of puppy mills and online dog sales. The new legislation would target these puppy mills, requiring that large-scale commercial breeders that sell puppies directly to consumers to be licensed and inspected by USDA.
“The success of our 'No Pet Store Puppies' campaign and this significant milestone send a clear message that the public does not support the inhumane breeding of dogs,” said Laurie Beacham, senior director of strategy & campaigns. “Consumer action is a critical element in the fight against puppy mills, and convincing consumers not to shop for anything at stores and on websites that sell puppies is a powerful tool in stopping the demand for puppy mill dogs.”
ASPCA's public awareness campaign also includes targeted online ads and outdoor billboards that were posted in cities across the US to raise awareness about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills and to encourage adoption of a pet from a local animal shelter or rescue organization.  

National Animal Supplement Council hosts awards gala on May 10

National Animal Supplement Council hosted its 2nd annual awards gala on May 10, in La Jolla, California, USA, where companies were celebrated for extraordinary efforts in quality education and improving the standards of the animal health supplement industry. 
At the gala, a Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Frank Ballard, president of HBH, a specialty pet co-manufacturer. Ballard helped to set up the framework of the National Animal Supplement Council to operate as the nonprofit trade organization it is today. 
"If it had not been for Frank's business expertise, we may not have NASC today," said Bill Bookout, chairman of the board. "He held the larger vision above the interests of his company, jumping in without reservation and dedicating his time to get us up and running accordingly."
Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA received a MVP Supplier Award at the gala for developing a program that provides discounts for the council's members on product liability insurance. Recipients of the Visibility Award included 22 member companies that were honored for promoting the council's goals and Quality Seal in all aspects of their business: Arenus, Emerald Valley Natural Health Inc., FoodScience Corporation, Foxden Equine Inc., The Garmon Corporation, GNC, Grand Meadows Nutritional Products Inc., Gulf Coast Nutritionals Inc., Herbsmith Inc., HorseTech Inc., In Clover, Kemin Industries, Majesty's Animal Nutrition, Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals, Nutri-Vet, Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems Inc., Response Products, Richdel Inc., Silver Lining Herbs, SOURCE Inc., Uckele Health and Nutrition Inc., and Vets Plus Inc.

SGS offers pathogen testing services to pet food manufacturers following recent recalls

Due to recent dry dog food recalls in the US and Canada for Salmonella contamination, many petfood manufacturers may be looking to more-thoroughly test their petfood products to avoid causing illness to pet owners and their pets. 
SGS in Brookings, South Dakota, USA, offers the petfood industry a complete range of pathogen testing services, including Salmonella, E. Coli and Listeria. 
“Salmonella outbreaks from petfood sicken not only pets, but their owners and owners’ family members. Children under the age of two and people who are immunocompromised are at an even higher risk,” said SGS microbiology laboratory supervisor, Sonja Van Holland.
Testing for yeast and molds from SGS may also assist petfood companies in monitoring their processes to help prevent risk of contamination or illness. For more information on petfood testing services, contact SGS at +1.877.692.7611, extension 5, or email analytical.brookings@sgs.com. 

RECALLS: Diamond Pet Foods recalls two brands of Kirkland Signature dry cat food for possible Salmonella contamination

Diamond Pet Foods has once again expanded its pet food recall, this time to include a brand of cat food produced at the company's Gaston, South Carolina, USA, petfood manufacturing facility, due to the possibility of Salmonella contamination.


The new recall involves two dry cat food formulas: Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula and Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula.


Recalled products have a production code with both a "3" in the ninth position and an "X" in the 11th position. Products are marked with "best-before" dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013.


The products were distributed to the following areas, but may have been distributed further through other pet food channels: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia, USA, as well as in Canada and Puerto Rico.  


Concerned pet owners may contact Diamond Pet Foods by calling +1.866.918.8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST.

Pet ownership among baby boomers may decline as they age

Thanks to the baby-boomer generation's love of their pets, American spending on pet products is expected to exceed US$52 billion in 2012, but a recent article looks into whether these pet owners will still be able to care for themselves and their pets as both age.
According to the article, pet ownership rates tend to drop as people age, and baby boomers, defined as those born from 1946-1964, are starting to reach the age of retirement. An industry survey found that routine veterinary care could cost about US$248 per year for a dog, which may mean these baby boomers could be forced to give up their pets on fixed incomes and in smaller homes, or due to physical limitations that prevent them from being able to care for their pet.
However, with most children gone from the home, baby boomers still spend a significant amount on their pets and treat them like humans. The Nielsen Co. reported that baby-boomer households spent an average of US$211 per year on petfood in 2010, exceeding spending by any other generation. As a result, the pet industry is promoting the benefits of pet ownership for older people, like through the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the positive role that animals play in a person's health.
Some researchers warn, though, that the benefits of pet ownership should also be weighed against the negatives of an aging generation of pet owners. Hal Herzog, a professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, said there are so many studies on the "pet effect" with conflicting results that it remains an "uncorroborated hypothesis," pointing out that the Centers for Disease Control estimated that almost 87,000 falling injuries each year are related to cats and dogs.

American Feed Industry Association holds spring meeting

Nearly 60 members of the American Feed Industry Association’s board of directors met to discuss issues of mutual concern and make their concerns known to legislators during the annual spring meeting near Washington, D.C., USA.
On May 16, board members visited Capitol Hill and members of Congress to publicize the association's positions on proposed legislation that would impact the feed and feed ingredient industry.
Also at the spring meeting, the American Feed Industry Association's board recognized William C. Barr, Bill Barr & Company, for his leadership as chairman over the past year, and promoted Alan B. Gunderson, Vita Plus, to chairman. The board also voted to accept the nomination of Jeff Cannon, Diamond V Mills, as the association's chairman-elect to succeed Gunderson in May 2013.
In addition to electing 16 new board members, the executive committee also elected six new members: Bill Braman, Chr. Hansen; Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms Inc.; Diane Loiselle, Hill’s Pet Nutrition; Paul Phillips, Maxi-Lift; Chad Risley, Lucta USA Inc.; and Dean Warras, Prince Agri Products Inc.
The association's next board of directors meeting will be held October 24-25, in Sausalito, California, USA.

Vet shares his extensive education in pet nutrition

As part of an extended email conversation with a friend over selecting a cat food, Dr. Michael Watts, companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care, shares with his friend the extensive training that veterinarians receive, including education on pet nutrition and pet food formulas and ingredients.
Dr. Watts' friend said he was looking into a grain-free cat food because of a conversation he had previously with a friend who is a dog trainer.
In response, Dr. Watts said: "How is it that someone as smart as you would weigh the opinion of dog trainer who works for the pet food manufacturer as superior to the advice of two independent medical professionals? To earn my degrees I took three semesters of physiology, one semester of comparative animal nutrition, one semester of applied animal nutrition, one semester of veterinary nutrition, two semesters of biochemistry, and two semesters of gastroenterology. My veterinary school clinical rotations included working alongside several board-certified veterinary nutritionists. I have practiced on cats for twelve years while regularly reading nutrition research and attending frequent continuing education sessions."
Though a veterinarian may have been practicing for a different number of years than Dr. Watts, he says that the extensive education background is similar for most. Dr. Watts noted that veterinarians, unlike many dog trainers, do not usually depend on a paycheck from a pet food company and do not rely on nutrition information from a pet food company. 

FDA releases Reportable Food Registry Report

The US Food and Drug Administration released its second Reportable Food Registry Report. 
The Reportable Food Registry requires manufacturers, processors, packers and holders (warehousers, distributors, etc.) of Food and Drug Administration-regulated foods/feeds to quickly report any foods, feeds or ingredients that could result in serious adverse health consequences to humans or animals, via the administration's online Safety Reporting Portal.
The report shows the Reportable Food Registry has increased the speed with which the Food and Drug Administration and its state and local partners investigate reports and take appropriate follow-up action, including removing reportable foods from commerce when necessary; improved the administration's understanding of how products are distributed through commodity supply chains, increasing its ability to trace reportable foods upstream and downstream; helped the administration and industry identify key commodity risk points and develop guidance for establishing preventive controls; improved coordination among the administration's headquarters, field staff, and state and local regulators; provided data for the administration to issue import alerts and import bulletins; and supplied information to help the administration target inspections, plan work, and identify and prioritize risks.
The report summarizes the Registry’s second year of operation and finds that it logged 225 primary reports – initial reports about a safety concern with a food or animal feed (including food ingredients); 483 subsequent reports from suppliers or recipients of a food or feed for which a primary report had been submitted; and 174 amended reports to correct or add information to previously submitted reports. Reports were received from both domestic and foreign sources.
The 225 primary reports for the second year involved products in 22 commodity categories. Salmonella accounted for 38.2 percent of hazards, Undeclared Allergens accounted for 33.3 percent and Listeria monocytogenes accounted for 17.8 percent. The 229 primary reports in the first year involved 25 commodity categories with Salmonella accounting for 37.6 percent, Undeclared Allergens for 30.1 percent and Listeria monocytogenes for 14.4 percent.

Nestlé Purina PetCare invests in Australia petfood factory expansion

Nestlé Purina PetCare is investing AUD31 million (US$30.7 million) to expand its pet food factory in Blayney, New South Wales, Australia, according to a report. 
The investment includes the installation of new technology and construction of a new 5,400-square-meter warehouse at the factory, which produces nearly 100,000 metric tons of petfood products per year. 
"This latest investment reflects our long-term commitment to our operations in New South Wales," said David Grant, general manager for Nestlé Purina PetCare in Australia. "It will not only boost future product development, but it also brings the factory and its technological capabilities into the 21st century. This site is now at the forefront of global manufacturing innovation in our company." 

Short course will cover nutrition, feed management, designing animal feed mills

A one-week Practical Short Course on Aquaculture Feed Extrusion, Nutrition and Feed Management will be held September 23-28, at Texas A&M University by staff, industry representatives and consultants. 
The course will cover information on designing new animal feed mills and selecting conveying, drying, grinding, conditioning and feed mixing equipment, including equipment for petfood. The course will also review current practices for preparing full-fat soy meal processing; recycling fisheries by-products, raw animal products and secondary resources; raw-material extrusion of floating, sinking and high fat feeds; spraying and coating fats, digests and preservatives; use of encapsulated ingredients; preparation of premixes; nutritional requirements of warm water fish and shrimp; feed management; and least-cost formulation.
Practical demonstration of sinking, floating and high-fat aqua feed are shown on four major types of extruders (dry, interrupted flights, single and twin-screw), using various shaping dies. Other demonstrations include vacuum coating and lab analysis of raw material for extrusion. 
Reservations are accepted on a first-come basis. For more information, programs and application forms, contact Dr. Mian N. Riaz of Texas A&M's Food Protein R&D Center by phone at +1.979.845.2774 or by email at mnriaz@tamu.edu.

Cats potentially at risk after Diamond Pet Foods dog food recall

After recalling one batch of Diamond Naturals dry dog food on April 6 for possible Salmonella contamination, Diamond Pet Foods and other brands manufactured at its plant have expanded the recall on numerous occasions, Diamond endured a week-long inspection of its Gaston, South Carolina, USA, by the US Food and Drug Administration, which found various safety issues, and most recently acknowledged that cats are also at risk.
According to a recent article, Diamond Pet Foods has done little to call special attention to the expansion of its dry dog food recalls to include a cat food that was also manufactured at the plant.
There is no specific information on which brands and batches of cat food may be affected by the recalls, though consumers may check the cat food bag's product code to find where it was made.
Recently, the Calgary Herald in Alberta, Canada, reported that two cats in a Montreal animal shelter died and another is ill after eating Diamond Pet Foods products. Also in Quebec, another person has been reported with a case of Salmonella, bringing the total number of cases to 16 in the United States and Canada caused by handling the petfood, the article says.
“The investigation is open and pending so we are limited in the information we can release to the public,” Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman, Laura Alvey, wrote via e-mail. "Diamond voluntarily shut down their facility to clean (including the two lines where the contaminated product was made) and to implement additional procedures.”

Mondi to present new pet food packaging at Global Pouch Forum

Mondi will present new stand-up petfood pouches at Global Pouch Forum.

Mondi Coatings and Consumer Packaging will present its latest pet food packaging products as the exclusive event partner of the Global Pouch Forum in June.
At Global Pouch Forum, June 11-13, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, Mondi will present its pre-made stand-up pouches, reclosable plastic bags and paper-based bag solutions.
“The growing demands of the petfood and convenience food market have triggered several innovations in packaging in recent years. We are proud to present our new product developments, such as the sophisticated, retortable anti-staining pouch and the convenient, single-serve pouch to the attendees of the forum and the US market,” said Stefan Gutheil, managing director. “Stand-up pouches are lightweight, can be transported cost-efficiently and are easier for customers to carry home. Compared to alternative packaging materials, flexible stand-up pouches have approximately 75 oercent less packaging and shipping weight.”

CESAR Canine Cuisine offers new dog treats line

CESAR Canine Cuisine introduced a new line of dog treats, called CESAR Cookie Crunchies, which the company says provide a fun way for owners to show love to their dog.


CESAR Cookie Crunchies are bite-sized baked treats for dogs.

The Cookie Crunchies are bite-sized baked dog treats that come in two flavors: Filet Mignon and Rotisserie Chicken. The treats have 10 calories each, and come in mini-bone, paw print and heart shapes.

RECALL: Diamond Pet Foods recalls Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food due to Salmonella

Diamond Pet Foods is again expanding a voluntary pet food recall to include its Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula dry dog food manufactured on August 26, 2011 in Gaston, South Carolina, USA, due to concerns the product may have been exposed to Salmonella. 


The recall applies to sample sizes, as well as 6- and 18-pound bag sizes of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula. All bags of the recalled dog food are marked with a production code of DSL0801, with "best-before" dates of August 26, September 27 and October 18. The recalled product was distributed in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, USA, but may have been further distributed through other petfood channels.


Concerned pet owners may contact the company at +1.866.918.8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.

Mondi wins DuPont Packaging Award for dog food bag

Mondi designed Interquell's Happy Dog petfood packaging with silver 3D lettering and high-definition flexo-printed packaging to make the package stand out.

Mondi Coatings and Consumer Packaging won a DuPont Packaging Award 2012 for its pet food packaging. 
The company won the award for its design of Interquell's Happy Dog pet food packaging, which is accentuated with stamped silver 3D lettering, matt OPP film and a high-definition flexo-printed packaging.
"The use of embossing, one of the most interesting finishing processes for printed products, is an excellent way to make consumer packaging stand out," said Stefan Gutheil, managing director, Mondi Consumer Packaging. "It can be used not just for lettering and logos but also for picture elements and entire images, with impressive results. Mondi Lindlar has been one of Europe’s pioneers in introducing hot foil embossing for petfood laminates. In addition, the high-definition flexo-print technology results in images with sharp definition of contours and strong colors, giving the petfood pack an even more appealing look."

Web forum encourages sharing of animal health, food safety research

Dr. Daral J. Jackwood, Ph.D., director of the Center for Diagnostic Assays at the Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, Ohio, USA, is leading efforts to encourage researchers to adopt open-access science in the fields of animal health and food safety through the Center's www.diagnosticspeak.com.
Dr. Jackwood's online members-only forum is dedicated to advancing open-access science by allowing professionals to share discoveries, seek insight and exchange ideas that advance the field of animal disease diagnostics.
According to Dr. Jackwood: “DiagnosticSpeak.com provides an opportunity to create a database of diagnostic information that is searchable and available to everyone. Participating researchers will stay better informed about animal health issues and new diagnostic assays. They can also exchange ideas on how to more effectively and efficiently conduct diagnostic assays by interacting with colleagues on diagnostic issues related to food safety.
“DiagnosticSpeak.com is designed to provide a single vehicle through which the worldwide scientific community can gather to discuss issues relevant to infectious disease diagnostics in the area of food safety, food animals and environmental safety," he said. 
For more information about DiagnosticSpeak.com, please contact Dr. Daral J. Jackwood via email to Jackwood.2@osu.edu, or by phone at +1.330.263.3964. 

Recalled dry dog food linked to two confirmed dog Salmonella cases

Two dogs have now been confirmed to have Salmonella infections linked to recent Diamond Pet Foods recalls, according to US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine deputy director of communications staff, Laura Alvey. 
Both dogs lived in the same house as a Salmonella infantis outbreak victim and were fed one of the recalled dry dog food products, produced at Diamond Pet Foods' Gaston, South Carolina, USA, facility. So far, a total of 16 human cases of Salmonella have been linked to the recalled dog food products in Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, USA, and Quebec, Canada.
Diamond Pet Foods shut down its Gaston facility "to clean and implement additional procedures" after a link was confirmed between the illnesses and dry dog food samples manufactured at the plant, according to Alvey. 

FDA inspection finds pet food safety issues at Diamond Pet Foods’ plant

Diamond Pet Foods, the pet food company linked to recent dry dog food recalls due to Salmonella contamination, did not take "all reasonable precautions" to ensure safety at its plant, according to the US Food and Drug Administration inspection report.
The Form 483 report from the Food and Drug Administration was released after a week-long inspection that began April 12 after petfood manufactured at Diamond Pet Foods' Gaston, South Carolina, USA, plant was found to be contaminated with Salmonella and linked to an outbreak of human Salmonella infantis.
According to the report, the administration's inspectors cited four observations: 


1. All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source. Specifically, no microbiological analysis is conducted or there is no assurance that incoming animal fat will not introduce pathogens into their production and cause contamination of finished product. Also, the firm's current sampling procedure for animal digest does preclude potential for adulteration after sampling and during storage in warehouse. On April 13, 2012, an employee was observed touching in-line fat filter and oil with bare hands.


2. Failure to provide hand washing and hand sanitizing facilities at each location in the plant where needed. Specifically, there are no facilities for hand washing or hand sanitizing in the production areas where there is direct contact with exposed finished feed/food.


3. Failure to maintain equipment, containers and utensils used to convey, hold, and store food in a manner that protects against contamination. Specifically, paddles in conveyor (south or middle conveyor leading to the screeners going to packaging) were observed to have gouges and cuts, which exhibited feed residues. The damage to the paddles may allow for harborage areas for microorganisms and are difficult to clean and sanitize.


4. Failure to maintain equipment so as to facilitate cleaning of the equipment. Specifically, firm utilizes cardboard, duct tape and other non-cleanable surfaces on equipment. These materials were observed to have residues adhering. The foam gaskets around access doors to the bucket elevators were observed in deteriorating condition and exhibited an accumulation of feed residues and dust.
The administration has not yet revealed how many complaints it has received about pet illnesses possibly related to the contaminated food.

DDW video adresses how 'clean label' relates to consumers

The term "clean label" is increasingly being used by pet food manufacturers and marketers and in new product development. So, David Schmidt, president and CEO, International Food Information Council Foundation, addressed the question of "how does 'clean label' relate to consumers?" during a video interview for DDW’s “Expert Answers” series.
A clean label “describes a trend to reduce the number of ingredients used in a food product, and to have the ingredient names be more pronounceable for the average consumer reading the label,” said Schmidt. He said it “does not relate to the safety of a product as any ingredient or color added to food must be deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration before it is added to a food product.”

To see the full interview, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy3fivoPV1Q.

Entelos to model pet nutritional formulas for Mars Petcare

Entelos, a provider of in silico modeling and simulation products and consulting services, signed an agreement with Mars Petcare to model optimized nutritional formulations and reduce the need for traditional nutritional studies with companion animals. 
“Pet nutrition is receiving increasing scientific attention. Entelos has completed numerous projects modeling other species to refine scientific trials in animals and man. It makes sense that we move into pet care and nutrition,” said Entelos CEO, Shawn O’Connor. 

Petfood manufacturer’s employees volunteer at animal shelters

Nature’s Variety, the maker of the Instinct and Prairie petfood brands, is marking National Pet Week by volunteering in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, animal shelters.
The company's employees have committed Friday, May 11, to volunteering at Stray Rescue of St. Louis and The Cat House in Lincoln, performing tasks such as dog walking, laundry and clean-up duties. 
Employees in the Lincoln manufacturing plant will also take part in the "Living Our Purpose" activities at The Cat House and by clearing weeds and trash from a local feral cat colony. Also as part of the company's National Pet Week celebrations, themed "Helping Pets, It's in our Nature," all full-time employees will receive additional time off work to volunteer at the shelter or rescue of their choice. 

“It is important to us as a company to walk the walk, if we are going to talk the talk,” said Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety CEO.  “We know we help change the lives of pets every day through healthy nutrition and diet offerings, but it’s important for us as a company to serve pets at shelters and rescues. It’s something our team believes in, and we’re happy to offer our time and resources to help Stray Rescue and The Cat House.”

Packaged Facts Report finds tough economic times have not hindered US pet industry

Even through tough economic times, the US pet industry continues to move forward, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in its new pet market report on US dog and cat owners.
According to a Packaged Facts survey of nearly 2,000 pet owners, three main factors are driving the US pet market: the burgeoning pet parenting phenomenon, the increase in pet ownership by the family-oriented and demographically potent Hispanic population, and the prevalence of pet ownership among affluent Americans. 

Bravo! implements raw pet food diet packaging changes

Bravo!, a manufacturer of frozen-fresh raw diets, is implementing packaging changes for three of its pet food product lines. 
As part of the change, the company will be vacuum-sealing individual burgers in all of its Bravo! Blends and Bravo! Balance burger formats. The new "EZ-Peel" packages replace the existing "loose-fit" plastic overwrap. 
There will be a slight color variation on the inside of the film as a result of oxygen removal from the pouch.  Once opened, and the product begins to defrost, the burger will look redder than products in the older-style packages. 
Additionally, all Bravo! Chews products have been converted to new shelf-shipper display boxes. Previously, the products were shipped in an outer carton with an inner sleeve and inner display box.

Hill's Pet Nutrition launches Prescription Diet GI dog food formula

Hill’s Pet Nutrition launched a new Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat GI Restore Canine formula petfood to support the care of dogs with challenging gastrointestinal conditions like pancreatitis, hyperlipidemia and protein-losing enteropathy. 
This new  dog food is designed for long-term feeding of adult dogs and provides veterinary health care teams with another option to recommend for dogs with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions. Hill's says the Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat formula contains omega-3 fatty acids to help break the cycle of inflammation, prebiotic fiber to restore the intestinal microbiota, and ginger to calm and soothe the GI tract. Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat pet food is also clinically proven to decrease fasting serum triglycerides, reducing a risk factor of pancreatitis in dogs, Hill's says. The new food is available in both canned and dry forms.
“Low-fat pet foods can play a crucial role in the management of dogs with hypertriglyceridemia and secondary GI disease or in dogs with primary GI disease, but without hypertriglyceridemia,” says Jörg M. Steiner, Ph.D. “Also, since these conditions can be complex, canine patients may also benefit from prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agents.”

Vet discusses novel protein diets for cats to manage allergies

In this second part of an email conversation with a friend, Dr. Michael Watts, companion animal general practitioner and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care, shares his advice on pet nutrition and why prescription petfood diets do work for managing a pet's health problem. 
Dr. Watts says that many niche diets, as opposed to prescription diets, are made to balance according to textbook nutritional values, but many niche diets do not do animal feeding trials to measure the actual nutrition performance, with the exception of a few organic brands. Dr. Watts says that when choosing a food, pet owners should look at the food’s Association of American Feed Control Officials' statement for the words "animal feeding tests substantiate this food is complete and balanced." If the words "animal feeding tests" are missing, the tests haven’t been done, he says.
Finding a food to manage a pet's allergy may take time, Dr. Watts says. He says a true novel protein diet may take up to eight weeks to see a response. 
"It is difficult to find a truly novel protein for cats because ordinary cat foods contain so many similar flavors and ingredients," Dr. Watts says. "Duck, for instance, often cross reacts with turkey and chicken. Beef often cross reacts with venison, bison, etc. Add to that the difficulty that many OTC formulas that say 'soy free' or 'grain free' have been shown to have significant enough levels of these ingredients to aggravate a truly allergic cat. It’s not so much they’re 'sneaking it in' as there is inadvertent contamination. Feed mills are dusty places and it’s easy to have cross contamination of production lots."
While the dog food market has a few truly novel protein diets, using ingredients like kangaroo or rabbit, very few over-the-counter diets for cats have these novel proteins; most are limited to salmon, chicken, duck and venison. Dr. Watts says that these cat diets are not totally novel for all cats, so it may be easier for a vet to find a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet, which breaks down the protein into small enough units that the cat's immune system, theoretically, does not detect it. 

Dr. Watts recommends the website, balanceit.com, for pet owners looking for a novel protein diet but who do not want to feed a prescription diet. The site sells supplements that make a homemade diet complete and balanced on paper and were formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. This allows cat owners, especially, to select their own novel protein source and use the supplement to make the food balanced for the cat's nutritional needs. 
"Also, you should know that many food allergic cats also have some degree of gastrointestinal involvement. They are also much less likely than dogs to manifest food allergies as solely skin symptoms. Since you mention only skin symptoms, be sure your veterinarian has thoroughly explored all the dermatologic angles and has run general blood work before placing too many eggs in the food allergy basket," Dr. Watts advises.

Download the remixed Meow Mix cat food jingle, Co. donates cat food to charity

Singer Cee Lo Green and Purrfect the Cat, his co-star on "The Voice."

Singer Cee Lo Green and Purrfect the Cat, his co-star on "The Voice," have made a remix of the Meow Mix cat food jingle. 

As part of the new deal, Meow Mix cat food is pledging to donate one pound of cat food for each download of the remixed jingle to Pets Are Wonderful Support/LA, a California, USA, group that provides assistance to low-income seniors and people with life-threatening illness so that they can keep and care for their pets.

"Purrfect was thrilled to hear about this new deal with Meow Mix cat food," Green said in a press release. "That sultry purr of hers is perfect for a modernized remix of the iconic Meow Mix jingle. Watch out cats!" 

RECALL: Purina recalls Veterinary Diets Overweight Management cat food cans

Nestle Purina PetCare is voluntarily recalling one lot of Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management wet cat food, available through veterinarians in the US and Canada, in response to a consumer complaint received by the US Food and Drug Administration.


Analytical testing of the product sample by the administration indicated a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1). 


The recall is for 5.5-ounce cans of Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Feline Formula marked with a "best-by" date of June 2013, production code 11721159 and can UPC code 38100-13810. This product was distributed to veterinary clinics between June, 2011 and May, 2012 throughout the U.S. and Canada. The product is not sold in retail stores.


Cats fed this affected lot exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. 


Consumers should discard the recalled product immediately. Consumers in the US may contact the company at +1.800.982.8837, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT. Consumers in Canada may contact the company at +1.866.884.8387, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

Neogen launches ANSR detection system for pet food safety

Neogen Corp. launched the Amplified Nucleic Single Temperature Reaction isothermal pathogen detection system for petfood safety, along with its first assay for Salmonella at a conference in Dallas, Texas, USA. 
The Amplified Nucleic Single Temperature Reaction system has a 10-minute assay and a small-format reader, Neogen says, as well as incorporates advances in DNA detection technology. The new system comes complete with a reader / incubator, laptop with software, lysis system and pipettes. 
“Food Safety is a global concern, so we created the ANSR system to be easy to deploy and integrate into a workflow – it can address the requirements for in-plant testing irrespective of your location” said Lon Bohannon, Neogen president. “With increasing regulations, there is a dramatic need in the market for a pathogen detection system which is fast, economical and user friendly.” 

Pet food Industry offers listing of contract pet food manufacturers

For pet food companies and marketers looking for additional or alternative contract manufacturers in the wake of recent recalls, a list is available online in the Petfood Industry Buyer's Guide, under the Services category.
To directly access this supplier directory, please visit: 

http://www.directorypub.com/PET/SRCH/proddetail2.php?aid=4010&prodid='Co-packing/Custom%20Manufacturing'&pub_id=6000050.

State of Pet Health Report finds rise in chronic diseases in pets

Banfield Pet Hospital, a veterinary practice chain, released its State of Pet Health 2012 Report, which found that certain chronic diseases in dogs and cats have risen drastically since 2007. 
The report, compiled by the Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge team, captured and analyzed medical data from nearly 2 million dogs and 430,000 cats that were cared for at one of Banfield's hospitals in 2011. The 2012 report shows overweight and obesity increased 37 percent in dogs and 90 percent in cats, while arthritis increased 38 percent in dogs and 67 percent in cats. Additionally, the report found that nearly half of arthritic dogs (40 percent) and more than one of three arthritic cats (37 percent) are also overweight; almost half of diabetic dogs (42 percent) and diabetic cats (40 percent) are overweight; and 40 percent of dogs with high blood pressure and 60 percent of dogs with hypothyroidism are also overweight. 
Banfield also recently conducted a survey of 2,000 dog and cat owners to better understand pet owner perceptions about pets' chronic diseases and the measures they should take to keep their pets healthy. Although the 2012 report shows an increase in chronic diseases, just 36 percent of dog owners and 28 percent of cat owners said they would take their pet to see a veterinarian to manage an existing disease or condition. 
“As outlined in this year’s State of Pet Health Report, chronic diseases are on the rise, and as a profession, we need to continually focus on regular preventive care and early disease detection,” said Ron DeHaven, DVM, chairman, CEO, American Veterinary Medical Association and chairman, Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. “The primary reason we formed the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare was to help veterinarians understand and communicate the importance of regular preventive care for pets. We are pleased that Banfield is both a founding partner and a primary supporter of the PPPH, and that they are committed to sharing this valuable information in an effort to help us achieve our mission.”

Buhler hosts Food Safety Dialogue for industry professionals

Buhler recently hosted a Food Safety Dialogue for more than 30 US food engineering and food safety professionals. 
As part of the Food Safety Dialogue, attendees heard a technology briefing and panel discussion and attended a grand opening of the new food-grade Buhler Food Innovation Center. 
Buhler's chief technology officer, Ian Roberts, reiterated Buhler's commitment to making foods for consumers safe. Following the discussion, the company showed its AeroDry conveyor dryer at the new Food Innovation Center in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA. The company says this investment will allow it to offer process trials on a complete extrusion line, including raw material handling, drying, grinding and bulk packaging.

Low-fat pet food may benefit dogs with gastrointestinal disease

Low-fat pet foods may provide health benefits to dogs with gastrointestinal disease, according to Dr. Jorg Steiner, associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Texas A&M University. 
Lipids, water-insoluble molecules, have many crucial functions in dogs, specifically triglycerides and cholesterol. Dr. Steiner says that hypertriglyceridemia is common in dogs, but affects some breeds more than others, as some recent studies have indicated. In the study, 611 routine chemistry profiles in dogs were performed at a veterinary laboratory in Italy and evaluated; findings showed that 33 dogs (5.4 percent) showed hypertriglyceridemia. 
Another study tested 192 healthy miniature Schnauzers, finding that 63 (32.8 percent) had hypertriglyceridemia. According to Dr. Steiner, differentiating between primary or secondary hypertriglyceridemia can be difficult, but is based on exclusion of suspected risk factors of secondary  hypertriglyceridemia, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity or pancreatitis, while primary hypertriglyceridemia is often associated with a higher breed-related frequency. 
Dr. Steiner says the most important consequence of hypertriglyceridemia in dogs is pancreatitis, as supported by a study which found the risk of pancreatitis was nearly five times higher in miniature Schnauzers with severe hypertriglyceridemia (above 10,17 mmol/l or 900 mg/dl) than in the study's control dogs. Generally, treatment of hypertriglyceridemia is recommended when serum triglyceride concentrations are above 5.65 mmol/l (500 mg/dl), though there is little scientific evidence to support this, Dr. Steiner says. 
The primary therapeutic approach for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in dogs is to feed a pet food diet that is low in fat (generally less than 20 grams of fat/1,000 kcal). A recent study of miniature Schnauzers whose hypertriglyceridemia was managed with a dietary chence to a low-fat pet food found that none of the dogs had serum triglyceride concentrations that were above 500 mg/dl after the dietary change. Additionally, the liboprotein profile of the dogs changed after being switched to the low-fat food to more-closely resemble the liboprotein profile of a healthy dog.
Because the digestion of dietary fat is more complex than that of proteins or carbohydrates, dogs with a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems may show maldigestion or malabsorption of fat. So, Dr. Steiner says, decreasing the fat content in pet food may improve clinical signs in dogs.

Pet care spending seems recession-proof, new survey finds

Pet spending appears to be recession-proof, according to a new survey by CouponCabin.com, which found that three-in-four US pet owners (75 percent) said the state of the economy does not affect the amount of money they spend on their pets.
The survey, conducted online April 19-23, also found that more than one-quarter (26 percent) of US pet owners said they would be willing to put their pets' healthcare needs before their own. More than one-third (34 percent) of pet owners said they spend less on their friends than they do on their pets, while thirty-two percent spend less on their family than they do on their pets and 22 percent spend less on themselves than they do on their pets.
However, nearly eight out of 10 (78 percent) of US adults said they agree that some people spend too much on their pets. When asked which purchases they considered to be too expensive to spend on a pet, 77 percent of respondents said getting a professional massage for a pet, 73 percent said paying for beauty and grooming treatments beyond what is typical, and 71 percent said extravagant pet hotels or boarding. Additionally, 48 percent of respondents said regularly buying gourmet petfood was too expensive, 44 percent said medicating pets for psychological needs, 40 percent said paying for expensive experimental health treatments, and 33 percent said buying too many toys. 
“Pets play a huge role in our society and are often treated like members of the family,” said Jackie Warrick, president and chief savings officer at CouponCabin.com. “Many people keep their pet spending within reason, but sometimes it can get out of control. It’s important to keep an eye on how much you’re spending on your animal companions and not get carried away with extravagant or unnecessary pet purchases.”

Biomin releases report on mycotoxins in animal feed

Biomin released the results of its Biomin Mycotoxin Survey Program 2011, a comprehensive report on studies conducted on the distribution of mycotoxins according to region of origin and common type. 
More than 4,300 samples were collected from various countries over a 12-month period from January-December 2011, and 13,854 analyses of mycotoxins were performed to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and/or ochratoxin A in different regions of the world and feed materials. 
More than 70 percent of the samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, followed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the thin-layer chromatography method. Samples were first classified according to region of origin (see figure), mainly by the Asia-Pacific (37 percent); Europe, Africa and the Middle East (35 percent); the Americas (27 percent). Second, samples were classified by commodity types, ranging from raw materials, like corn (33 percent), wheat (9 percent), barley (7 percent) and soybean (5 percent), to finished feed (25 percent), silage (8 percent) and other feed ingredients (13 percent). 
The results show that average contamination levels were slightly lower in 2011 compared with 2010, though the percentage of mycotoxin distribution found at the maximum levels remains similar to that of 2010 for zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins. The report also found that with aflatoxins,  zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and/or  ochratoxin A affected 27 percent, 40 percent, 59 percent, 51 percent and 27 percent of the 4,327 samples collected worldwide, respectively. 

In addition, the report offers a regional breakdown for common mycotoxin occurrences, types of commodities associated with the different mycotoxins, and the corresponding maximum and average levels of contamination per region for each toxin. The full report is available on Biomin's website. 

Halo pet food sponsors PBS 'Shelter Me' film

Actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl is hosting the PBS premiere of “Shelter Me,” a film sponsored by Halo, Purely for Pets that illustrates how people’s lives are positively impacted by shelter dogs. 
The one-hour television special, created by filmmaker Steven Latham, celebrates the human-animal bond by showcasing three inspirational stories about shelter dogs and the lives they change. 

“As a huge animal lover, I was immediately drawn to this project because it advocates for the homeless pets at our local shelters,” said Heigl. “It’s important to generate awareness and overcome stigmas about these local facilities as well as promote these amazing animals and how they improve people’s lives.” 

Vet addresses common pet owner misconceptions about pet nutrition

Many pet owners have misconceptions about veterinarians and may be reluctant to seek or follow their advice, says Dr. Michael Watts, a veterinarian and owner of Clevengers Corner Veterinary Care, in an online article. 
In the article, Dr. Watts shares an email conversation he says that he had with a friend, regarding pet food allergy management for his friend's cat and a veterinarian's advice.
Dr. Watts says his friend wrote: "I think there’s a big 'conspiracy' out there among vets or maybe the newbies get brainwashed in vet school with all that corporate money. I think my cat might have food allergies (losing a ton of hair, itchy) but took him to the vet anyway...We ended up with a newer vet and he was saying we might have to put him on a big brand prescription diet — the hypoallergenic one. He was shocked when I told him I’d never feed my cats that junk food. The first ingredients always seem to be 'chicken byproducts' and fillers like corn... It makes me sad to think of all these people out there listening to this vet and using big corporation food when they can just feed their pets a high-quality, good protein diet."
Yet, according to Dr. Watts, veterinarians that sell veterinary diet pet foods make very little money doing so, typically US$1 per bag or less. 
"Large companies are simply better at being sure veterinarians have the most up to date information on their diets, so that might be your 'conspiracy,'" Watts says. "In addition, many veterinary therapeutic diets are actually superior for treating specific conditions than anything that can be found over the counter. However, the ingredient lists are formulated by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and other scientists – not the marketing department."
Watts also says that studies have shown that beef, chicken, wheat, soy, lamb, milk and egg have been the cause of more allergies in pets than corn has. Watts says that cooked ground corn is actually a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, protein, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. 
"Unfortunately, the niche market petfoods have demonized it to a point that I don’t even waste my breath with clients anymore. Either a client will take my educated recommendation or they will ignore me, listening to 'Dr. Google' or propaganda from specialty pet food manufacturers," Watts says.

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack visits Kemin Industries

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently visited a high school in rural Des Moines, Iowa, USA, telling students that manufacturing jobs are returning to the Midwest, such as those at local manufacturer Kemin Industries, which he also visited.
Vilsack told the students that the high-tech manufacturing jobs of today require math and engineering skills while working to research and develop plant molecules used in the company's production of pet food ingredients and products for animal nutrition. 
Less than two years ago, Kemin launched a five-year US$30 million expansion of its Des Moines operations, designed to add six new manufacturing facilities, three new research facilities and a new corporate headquarters building, creating a minimum of 98 jobs at the Kemin campus over that time.
John Greaves, Kemin's vice president of specialty crops, also gave a presentation, reminding students that although consumers may not always think about the food they eat or the petfood they feed their pets, companies like Kemin manufacture the ingredients that ultimately end up in the pet's food. 

K9s for Warriors donation made for every bag of Bob Timberlake superpremium dog food sold through peapod

Artist and designer Bob Timberlake introduced a new line of superpremium dog food available in select areas through online grocer, Peapod. 
The new pet food, Bob Timberlake Signature Series superpremium dog food, will be available to Peapod customers in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC, USA, areas. For each bag of the dog food sold through Peapod, a donation will be made to K9s for Warriors, which, through its Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, training facility, pairs armed service members with a trained service dog.
“We greatly appreciate how Peapod and Bob Timberlake have rallied together to support our organization and the men, women and canines we serve,” said Shari Duval, co-founder and president of K9s for Warriors. “Each and every donation is a vital tool in helping these deserving veterans return to civilian life with dignity and independence.”

Purina hosts vet contest as part of pet weight-loss initiative

Nestle Purina PetCare is teaming up with Olympic gold-medal volleyball player Misty May-Treanor to help guide veterinarians in giving pet weight-loss advice. As part of this pet weight-loss initiative, the company is also hosting an essay contest for veterinarian staff trained as Purina Certified Weight Coaches.
The contest, which runs through June 15, invites Purina Certified Weight Coaches to write a short essay about what it means to be a weight coach and why they joined the program. The winner will receive a five-night California, USA, spa experience for two. 
“Veterinarians understand that proper nutrition and exercise are the keys to a healthy body condition for pets, but we also need to help owners feel motivated while supporting them in their journey to find their happier, more energetic pets through diet and activity,” said Grade Long, DVM, director of veterinary technical marketing with Nestle Purina PetCare. “An opportunity exists for veterinary staff to offer weight counseling as a unique and personalized service for their clients, so that together they can achieve these goals.”

EXPANDED RECALL: Diamond adds more brands in dry dog food, cat food recall

Diamond Pet Foods has further expanded its dry dog food recall to include several more brands of dry dog food  and cat food produced at the company's Gaston, South Carolina, USA, facility, after samples of dog food from the same plant tested positive for Salmonella infantis. 
The recall was expanded as a precautionary measure, the company says, to include the following brands: 


• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul


• Country Value


• Diamond


• Diamond Naturals


• Premium Edge


• Professional


• 4Health


• Taste of the Wild


The recalled products above have production code with the number “2” or “3” in the ninth or 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit and “best-before” dates of December 9, 2012, through April 7, 2013. The products were distributed in the following states and Canada, but may have been distributed further through other petfood channels: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, USA.
The expanded recall also includes the following Kirkland Signature products:


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula


• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula


• Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs


Recalled Kirkland products have production codes with a number “3” in the 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit and “best-before” dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013. The food was distributed in Canada, Puerto Rico and the following states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia, USA.


Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.866.918.8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST, or visit Diamond's recall website.

RECALL: Dog food recall expanded: Canidae, Wellness, Natural Balance

Following the dry dog food recalls by Diamond Pet Foods over concerns of Salmonella contamination at the company's Gaston, South Carolina, USA, petfood manufacturing plant, Canidae, Wellness and Natural Balance have also issued voluntary recalls for certain dry petfood formulas manufactured at the same South Carolina plant. 


Canidae Pet Foods is recalling select dry dog food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011, and January 31, 2012, at the Gaston plant. The below list of products being recalled must have production codes that have both a number “3” in the ninth or 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit, with a "best before" date of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013. Recalled products include: 


Canidae Dog, All Life Stages
Canidae Dog, Chicken Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice
Canidae Dog, Platinum
The recall affects only products distributed in the following Eastern U.S. states of Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee, but may have been distributed further through other petfood channels. The company says no animal or human illnesses have been associated with the products and they have not tested positive for Salmonella. Customers with questions may contact Canidae Pet Foods at +1.800.398.1600,  Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST.


WellPet LLC is recalling its Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy formula, also manufactured at Diamond Pet Foods' Gaston plant. The recalled product was sold in 15- and 30-pound bags and 5-ounce sample bags, marked with "best by" dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013, on the back of the bag in the bottom right-hand corner. Consumers with questions may contact WellPet LLC at +1.877.227.9587, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.


Additionally, Natural Balance is recalling several of its dry dog food formulas also produced in the Gaston plant. The following is a list of recalled products, including bag size, formula and "best by" dates: 


 5-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog
December 12, 2012


December 13, 2012


March 12, 2013


15-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog
December 12, 2012


December 13, 2012


December 14, 2012


March 5, 2013


March 6, 2013 


28-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog 
December 12, 2012


December 13, 2012


December 14, 2012


March 5, 2013


March 6, 2013


March 7, 2013


March 8, 2013


March 12, 2013 


5-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog
December 10, 2012


December 21, 2012


December 22, 2012 


15-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog
December 10, 2012


December 21, 2012


December 22, 2012


15-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog
December 10, 2012


December 21, 2012


December 22, 2012


28-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog
December 10, 2012 


December 21, 2012


December 22, 2012 


5-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog
December 17, 2012


December 18, 2012


December 28, 2012


December 29, 2012


15-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog
December 9, 2012


December 17, 2012


December 18, 2012


December 28, 2012


December 29, 2012


28-pound Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog
December 9, 2012


December 17, 2012


December 18, 2012


December 28, 2012


December 29, 2012


5-pound Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog
December 9, 2012


28-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites
December 12, 2012


December 20, 2012


December 21, 2012


5-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites
December 21, 2012


12.5-pound Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites
December 21, 2012


Recalled products may have been distributed in Canada and in the following USA states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.800.829.4493 or email info@naturalbalanceinc.com.