Carnivore Meat Co., manufacturer of Vital Essentials, has earned Food Safety System Certification, FSSC 22000.
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification validates Vital Essentials’ commitment to its food safety program for its manufacturing process at their USDA-certified and federally inspected pet food facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. Vital Essentials’ manufacturing process for frozen and freeze-dried pet food and pet treats adheres to the same safety and quality standards of top-tier human food companies worldwide.
“Accomplishing FSSC 22000 has been one of our top goals at Vital Essentials. Attaining this goal was a yearlong process, as it thoroughly audits every manufacturing practice, record-keeping system and employee activity in the facility that affects the production of our high-quality frozen and freeze-dried pet products,” said Lanny Viegut, owner and CEO of Vital Essentials. “I’m very proud of our entire team. FSSC 22000 certification is a testament to our company’s and our employees’ commitment to being a leader in innovative, safe and premium quality pet food and treats that our customers’ pets have grown to love.”
During the certification process, Vital Essentials’ facility went through an extensive audit process in which all areas of the operation were examined: management engagement and responsibility, GMP’s and SOP’s, supplier and sourcing audits, workplace safety, HACCP food safety program, emergency response and preparedness planning, traceability, validation, verification and continuous improvement.
The FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification provides a framework for effectively managing the organization's food safety responsibilities. FSSC 22000 is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and is based on ISO Standards. It demonstrates that a company has a robust Food Safety Management System in place that meets the requirements of its customers and consumers.
Vital Essentials is the first in the raw pet food category in the U.S., to receive the FSSC 22000 certification. This certification bolsters several of the company’s other achievements. Vital Essentials is one of only three USDA-certified and federally inspected pet food facilities in the world. They have earned a superior rating (99.3%) from Bureau Veritas (BV), an international food safety audit firm, and recently received their EU certification, permitting the import of their pet products into Europe.
Showing posts with label pet food safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet food safety. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Cargill’s Empyreal product receives safety certification
Cargill recently received certification in the manufacturing process of its Empyreal animal food ingredient product. The Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 validates Cargill’s robust food safety management system for its Empyreal production process in Blair, Nebraska, and Dayton, Ohio, that meets the safety and quality requirements of major branded feed companies worldwide.
In order to receive the certification, Cargill’s facilities went through rigorous review in which a number of key areas were audited: management responsibility, planning and realization of safe products, pre-requisite programs, emergency response/preparedness planning, traceability, validation, verification and improvement.
FSSC 22000 is a food safety management system that provides a framework for effectively managing an organization's food safety responsibilities. FSSC 22000 is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative and provides a global approach to drive continual improvement in food safety management and provide confidence across the supply chain.
Empyreal processing is the first in the United States to receive the FSSC 22000 certification by Lloyd’s Registry Quality Assurance. In addition to this certification, Empyreal production facilities are Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Voluntary Protection Programs (OSHA VPP) - and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000-certified.
"Achieving the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is extremely demanding as it closely examines every process and procedure which impacts the manufacturing of the Empyreal product line,” said Eric Bell, Cargill assistant vice president. "The FSSC 22000 certification validates our commitment to being a leader in innovative, high quality, safe animal food ingredients which our customers can depend on to help them provide safe high quality products that meet the certification standards their customers expect from them.”
In order to receive the certification, Cargill’s facilities went through rigorous review in which a number of key areas were audited: management responsibility, planning and realization of safe products, pre-requisite programs, emergency response/preparedness planning, traceability, validation, verification and improvement.
FSSC 22000 is a food safety management system that provides a framework for effectively managing an organization's food safety responsibilities. FSSC 22000 is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative and provides a global approach to drive continual improvement in food safety management and provide confidence across the supply chain.
Empyreal processing is the first in the United States to receive the FSSC 22000 certification by Lloyd’s Registry Quality Assurance. In addition to this certification, Empyreal production facilities are Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Voluntary Protection Programs (OSHA VPP) - and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 22000-certified.
"Achieving the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000 is extremely demanding as it closely examines every process and procedure which impacts the manufacturing of the Empyreal product line,” said Eric Bell, Cargill assistant vice president. "The FSSC 22000 certification validates our commitment to being a leader in innovative, high quality, safe animal food ingredients which our customers can depend on to help them provide safe high quality products that meet the certification standards their customers expect from them.”
Friday, August 21, 2015
AFIA adds new certifying body for FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recently added SGS North America as a certifying body for FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food. SGS is the fourth certifying body recognized by AFIA to complete FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food audits.
"We are excited to add a well-recognized company such as SGS North America as a certifying body for facilities seeking FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food certification," said Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs. "This addition to the certifying bodies already offered -- Eurofins, NSF International, and Validus -- provides our members and the total feed industry with a variety of choices for optimal food and feed safety."
FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food is administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute and is designed primarily for North American feed manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. The program promotes the fundamentals for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
"FSC36 is designed to help the industry prepare for the changes accompanied by the Food Safety Modernization Act," Turlington added.
SGS also completes the other Safe Feed/Safe Food certifications: FSC34 Manufacture of Animal Feeds; FSC32 Manufacture of Pet Food; and International Safe Feed/Safe Food. The certifying body is a world leader with 130 years of experience in food safety audits and certifications around the world and supports audits and certifications in a variety of quality and food safety systems in multiple industries.
AFIA's Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program was launched in 2004 to promote quality and feed safety within the feed industry. The program is beneficial to both feed manufacturers and feed ingredient suppliers.
"We are excited to add a well-recognized company such as SGS North America as a certifying body for facilities seeking FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food certification," said Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs. "This addition to the certifying bodies already offered -- Eurofins, NSF International, and Validus -- provides our members and the total feed industry with a variety of choices for optimal food and feed safety."
FSC36 Safe Feed/Safe Food is administered by the Safe Quality Food Institute and is designed primarily for North American feed manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. The program promotes the fundamentals for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
"FSC36 is designed to help the industry prepare for the changes accompanied by the Food Safety Modernization Act," Turlington added.
SGS also completes the other Safe Feed/Safe Food certifications: FSC34 Manufacture of Animal Feeds; FSC32 Manufacture of Pet Food; and International Safe Feed/Safe Food. The certifying body is a world leader with 130 years of experience in food safety audits and certifications around the world and supports audits and certifications in a variety of quality and food safety systems in multiple industries.
AFIA's Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program was launched in 2004 to promote quality and feed safety within the feed industry. The program is beneficial to both feed manufacturers and feed ingredient suppliers.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Eurofins, AFIA partner to provide industry training
Eurofins Food Safety Systems and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) have signed an agreement to provide co-branded public training for the animal feed and pet food industries. The courses include a specialized Hazard Analysis and Critical Points (HACCP) course for feed manufacturers. The collaboration is a natural fit, as Eurofins and AFIA share a common interest in the feed industry’s success and safety.
AFIA, based in Arlington, Virginia, USA, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative, and regulatory interests of the United States animal feed industry and its suppliers. Members include more than 575 domestic and international companies and state, regional, and national associations.
Eurofins Food Safety Systems is recognized for its efforts and capabilities in the field of animal food safety by primary manufacturers, suppliers, retailer, distributors, and processors. With a full schedule of public and in-house training courses, Eurofins provides the knowledge and expertise necessary for the success of these nationwide trainings.
This collaboration further strengthens a longstanding partnership between the two leading industry supporters. Eurofins began conducting audits for AFIA’s International Safe Feed/Safe Food (FAMI-QS) program in 2010. The partnership has since expanded with the addition of AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food and Pet Food Manufacturing/Ingredient Facility Certification programs to Eurofins’ audit portfolio, and most recently the addition of a joint training course specific to the International Safe Feed/Safe Food/FAMI-QS scheme.
“We are thrilled to partner with AFIA to provide food safety training to the feed industry and further our relationship with AFIA,” said Eurofins’ Food Safety Systems Director, Gary Smith. “It is a great venture to join the expertise of Eurofins in food safety and public training with AFIA’s expertise in the feed industry and its tremendous member relationships. This partnership will assist the feed industry in the understanding and compliance with the new regulatory and customer requirements being placed upon them.”
“This is a great opportunity for AFIA and Eurofins to continue our relationship for the betterment of the feed industry,” said Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs. “These trainings will provide up-to-date information that is necessary for compliance with the law, and the how-to for running a quality animal food manufacturing facility.”
The public training courses are scheduled for November 10-11 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
AFIA, based in Arlington, Virginia, USA, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative, and regulatory interests of the United States animal feed industry and its suppliers. Members include more than 575 domestic and international companies and state, regional, and national associations.
Eurofins Food Safety Systems is recognized for its efforts and capabilities in the field of animal food safety by primary manufacturers, suppliers, retailer, distributors, and processors. With a full schedule of public and in-house training courses, Eurofins provides the knowledge and expertise necessary for the success of these nationwide trainings.
This collaboration further strengthens a longstanding partnership between the two leading industry supporters. Eurofins began conducting audits for AFIA’s International Safe Feed/Safe Food (FAMI-QS) program in 2010. The partnership has since expanded with the addition of AFIA’s domestic Safe Feed/Safe Food and Pet Food Manufacturing/Ingredient Facility Certification programs to Eurofins’ audit portfolio, and most recently the addition of a joint training course specific to the International Safe Feed/Safe Food/FAMI-QS scheme.
“We are thrilled to partner with AFIA to provide food safety training to the feed industry and further our relationship with AFIA,” said Eurofins’ Food Safety Systems Director, Gary Smith. “It is a great venture to join the expertise of Eurofins in food safety and public training with AFIA’s expertise in the feed industry and its tremendous member relationships. This partnership will assist the feed industry in the understanding and compliance with the new regulatory and customer requirements being placed upon them.”
“This is a great opportunity for AFIA and Eurofins to continue our relationship for the betterment of the feed industry,” said Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs. “These trainings will provide up-to-date information that is necessary for compliance with the law, and the how-to for running a quality animal food manufacturing facility.”
The public training courses are scheduled for November 10-11 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Food protection group focuses attention on pet food safety
The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) recently met for its annual meeting, and focused some of its attention on pet food safety.
Salmonella contamination in pet food was discussed by Robert Buchanan, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety and Security Systems at the University of Maryland, Lee Anne Palmer, VMD, MPH, supervisory veterinary medical officer at the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and regulatory attorney Karl Nobert of The Nobert Group L.L.C.
Recently, several companies including Nature’s Variety, Bravo, Natural Dog Co. and Boulder Dog Food had to issue recalls of some of their products for possible Salmonella contamination.
In June, FDA said it is looking into ways to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet food and treats.
And, in May, FDA published draft guidance on mandatory food recall authority as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). The guidance gives the government authority to order a responsible party to recall food when FDA determines there is a reasonable probability that the food is adulterated or misbranded, and that the use of the food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Dietary supplements also are included under this guidance. After the FDA decides a product should be recalled, it must give the company the opportunity to recall it voluntarily. If the company chooses not to conduct a voluntary recall, FDA can order it to stop selling the food and hold a hearing. After that, the FDA commissioner can order a recall.
Salmonella contamination in pet food was discussed by Robert Buchanan, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety and Security Systems at the University of Maryland, Lee Anne Palmer, VMD, MPH, supervisory veterinary medical officer at the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and regulatory attorney Karl Nobert of The Nobert Group L.L.C.
Recently, several companies including Nature’s Variety, Bravo, Natural Dog Co. and Boulder Dog Food had to issue recalls of some of their products for possible Salmonella contamination.
In June, FDA said it is looking into ways to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet food and treats.
And, in May, FDA published draft guidance on mandatory food recall authority as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). The guidance gives the government authority to order a responsible party to recall food when FDA determines there is a reasonable probability that the food is adulterated or misbranded, and that the use of the food will cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Dietary supplements also are included under this guidance. After the FDA decides a product should be recalled, it must give the company the opportunity to recall it voluntarily. If the company chooses not to conduct a voluntary recall, FDA can order it to stop selling the food and hold a hearing. After that, the FDA commissioner can order a recall.
Friday, January 30, 2015
FDA warns Nestle Purina plant about 'significant violations'
- failure to process each low-acid canned food in conformity with at least the scheduled process filed with FDA
- failure to identify, from a processor chack or otherwise, deviations from the scheduled process of critical factors which are out of control and failure to record these deviations in a separate log
- failure to chlorinate or otherwise sanitize cooling water as necessary for cooling canals and recirculated water supplies
- failure to establish a system for product traffic control in the retort room to prevent un-retorted product from bypassing the retort process
- failure to install the mercury-in-glass thermometers in a location where they can be accurately and easily read
- failure to have records of all processing and production signed or initialed by a representative of plant management who is qualified by suitable training or experience
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a warning letter to a Nestle Purina PetCare manufacturing facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania, after an inspection in September 2014 revealed "significant deviations from the LACF (acidified and low-acid canned foods) regulations, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 108 and 113 (21 CFR Parts 108 and 113)."
Violations include:
The FDA said it requires a written response addressing the alleged violations, and that "failure to take appropriate corrective action may subject your firm and products to further actions, such as emergency permit control, injunction or seizure."
The FDA said it requires a written response addressing the alleged violations, and that "failure to take appropriate corrective action may subject your firm and products to further actions, such as emergency permit control, injunction or seizure."
Friday, March 21, 2014
FDA sets deadlines for food safety regulation implementation
The regulations required by the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act will be fully in place by spring 2016, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The regulations for preventative control for animal and human food at factories and warehouses must be finalized by August 2015.
The process of finalizing the regulations has been troubled by delays, which prompted the Center for Food Safety (CFA) to file a lawsuit against the FDA over the missed statutory deadlines. A consent agreement filed on February 20 in federal district court in Oakland, Calif., cements a staggered set of deadlines for the rules. "This is a major victory for the health and safety of the American people," said George Kimbrell, the Center's lead attorney. "The first major update to our food safety laws since 1938 must now be implemented in a close-ended, timely fashion. That means safer food for American families."
An earlier federal ruling sided with the CFA, directing the agency to complete all of the rules by 2015. The agency appealed, and Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, told The Hill late last year that the court-ordered deadlines would be "enormously challenging." As part of the settlement agreement, the FDA has dropped its appeal in exchange for a new set of deadlines, according to the CFS.
The process of finalizing the regulations has been troubled by delays, which prompted the Center for Food Safety (CFA) to file a lawsuit against the FDA over the missed statutory deadlines. A consent agreement filed on February 20 in federal district court in Oakland, Calif., cements a staggered set of deadlines for the rules. "This is a major victory for the health and safety of the American people," said George Kimbrell, the Center's lead attorney. "The first major update to our food safety laws since 1938 must now be implemented in a close-ended, timely fashion. That means safer food for American families."
An earlier federal ruling sided with the CFA, directing the agency to complete all of the rules by 2015. The agency appealed, and Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, told The Hill late last year that the court-ordered deadlines would be "enormously challenging." As part of the settlement agreement, the FDA has dropped its appeal in exchange for a new set of deadlines, according to the CFS.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Petfood industry discusses improvements for safety
- Adopt a greater overall focus on product safety, even if this means using human food manufacturing standards for petfood.
- Make sure a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)-certified staffer is present at petfood manufacturing facilities to help avoid safety problems.
- Increase safety education training to increase general awareness of potential problems.
- Be practical about the lowest level of bacterial or pathogen contamination that can be achieved.
- Require environmental testing and finished product testing, even though FDA removed them from its proposed rule.
- Enforce final safety standards on foreign suppliers as well as domestic ones. FDA is already proposing to require "good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, processing, packing and holding of animal food" for both domestic and foreign suppliers.
- Share information on cross-contamination issues between people and pets.
- Reduce or eliminate China-sourced ingredients from petfood.
- Encourage proactive approaches to FDA compliance, including regular facility audits and product testing.
- Enhance labeling requirements to make sure stated ingredients are actually in the product at the level and quality advertised.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s latest proposal, a rule that includes preventive controls for petfood and animal feed, is a hotly debated topic in the petfood industry. The rule, required under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), would require equal processing standards at all facilities manufacturing, processing, packing or holding animal feed and petfood, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and risk-based preventive controls. Whether the industry thinks the rule needs modification, a closer look (most of the industry is vying for a longer comment period) or is good as-is, no one is arguing that petfood safety is an important topic.
Coming from the discussions, according to Food Safety News, are 10 changes in particular that the industry believes would improve petfood safety:
Coming from the discussions, according to Food Safety News, are 10 changes in particular that the industry believes would improve petfood safety:
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Attend free webinar on using water to manage petfood safety, quality
- How to identify a petfood product's "moisture sweet spot"
- How testing can reveal a product's moisture secrets
- How to use water activity to maximize safety, quality, and profit in your products
Register for the free webinar, Using water activity to manage safety and quality, which will be held Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. CT.
Most petfood products have a "moisture sweet spot" - an ideal range that maximizes quality and profit while keeping the product safe from mold and microbes. Water activity is the best way to find that sweet spot - and monitor to make sure you always produce to that specification.
What you'll learn:
This webinar is sponsored by Decagon and presented by WATT Global Media.
Most petfood products have a "moisture sweet spot" - an ideal range that maximizes quality and profit while keeping the product safe from mold and microbes. Water activity is the best way to find that sweet spot - and monitor to make sure you always produce to that specification.
What you'll learn:
This webinar is sponsored by Decagon and presented by WATT Global Media.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Register for free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar on November 22
The free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar will be presented by Trouw Nutrition on November 22.
Register for the free webinar, Microbiological Diagnostics Validation - the information that you really need to know, which will be held Friday, November 22 at 9 a.m. CT.
This webinar will focus on the information and challenges involved with the selection and validation of microbiological diagnostic platforms for the detection of bacterial pathogens (Salmonella) in petfood ingredients, the processing environment and finished products. The food industry has demanded faster time-to-results in microbial pathogen detection. It is key for the petfood industry customer to understand how modern rapid microbiological diagnostics might perform with their unique ingredients and finished products.
What you'll learn:
1. Potential pitfalls in pathogen detection specific to the petfood industry
2. The benefits of a robust third-party method validation
3. Options for method modification and resources
The webinar will feature speaker Dr. Edward Richter, founder of Richter International.
The speaker for this webinar is Dr. Edward Richter. Dr. Richter is founder of Richter International, an independent food safety, quality, defense and research-consulting laboratory in Columbus, Ohio, USA, serving food manufacturers, including petfood, ingredient and diagnostic suppliers. The webinar will be moderated by Jessica Taylor, managing editor, Petfood Industry.
This educational webinar is brought to you by Trouw Nutrition and sponsored by Trouw Nutrition.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Article advises consumers on purchasing safe, US-made petfood
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), China is the leading petfood exporter to the US, supplying about half of all imported petfoods. One recent article online from Hound & Gatos petfood company is advising consumers on purchasing safe petfood, encouraging them to purchase foods made in the US.
According to the article, there are a number of reasons to consider making sure the petfood you purchase is made in America. One reason is that you may be getting a product that is safer and reduces possible health risks. Companies in America are held to higher standards and more accountable than those in China, where there is little way to know what standards were followed in the petfood production process.
The article says it is also important to read petfood labels and avoid ingredients such as soy, generic animal livers, wheat, corn and coloring agents. Additionally, the article advises consumers to look for a diet rich in animal protein.
According to the article, there are a number of reasons to consider making sure the petfood you purchase is made in America. One reason is that you may be getting a product that is safer and reduces possible health risks. Companies in America are held to higher standards and more accountable than those in China, where there is little way to know what standards were followed in the petfood production process.
The article says it is also important to read petfood labels and avoid ingredients such as soy, generic animal livers, wheat, corn and coloring agents. Additionally, the article advises consumers to look for a diet rich in animal protein.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
AFIA announces change to third-party petfood safety certification programs
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced a change to several of AFIA's third-party certification programs. Starting in October, the administration of the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program, Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program and Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program will be handled by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI).
AFIA and SQFI signed a joint program implementation and marketing agreement to bring these three AFIA third-party certification programs into the SQFI family of programs. The agreement will bring a number of benefits to program participants, including open access for the choice of multiple, approved certification bodies for an audit; exceeding independent credibility criteria required by consumers and regulators globally; use of SQFI's certification program to help reduce multi-program inconsistencies and associated costs of multiple audits; and making AFIA programs the "feed segment" of the total food chain.
AFIA and SQFI signed a joint program implementation and marketing agreement to bring these three AFIA third-party certification programs into the SQFI family of programs. The agreement will bring a number of benefits to program participants, including open access for the choice of multiple, approved certification bodies for an audit; exceeding independent credibility criteria required by consumers and regulators globally; use of SQFI's certification program to help reduce multi-program inconsistencies and associated costs of multiple audits; and making AFIA programs the "feed segment" of the total food chain.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Livestock Feed and Pet Food Safety Research Round Table to be held August 13
Kansas State University's Department of Grain Science and Industry will host a Livestock Feed and Pet Food Safety Research Round Table at the International Grains Program on August 13. The event is geared toward professionals interested in learning about the latest updates in feed safety research and regulations in the livestock feed and petfood industries.
Petfood and livestock feed professionals will be able to review feed safety research, discuss with experts to identify priorities for future feed safety research, view facilities to conduct unique experiments and listen to a keynote speaker describe how multi-party cooperation has resulted in improvements in food safety.
Attendees will play an active role in a strategic planning discussion to help shape the future direction of research in livestock feed and petfood safety at Kansas State University. With the help of the experts in attendance, the department hopes to further its role as an essential player in feed manufacturing research.
Petfood and livestock feed professionals will be able to review feed safety research, discuss with experts to identify priorities for future feed safety research, view facilities to conduct unique experiments and listen to a keynote speaker describe how multi-party cooperation has resulted in improvements in food safety.
Attendees will play an active role in a strategic planning discussion to help shape the future direction of research in livestock feed and petfood safety at Kansas State University. With the help of the experts in attendance, the department hopes to further its role as an essential player in feed manufacturing research.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Petfood safety, recalls concerns for consumers, petMD survey finds
- Petfood recalls affect consumer confidence: More than 82 percent of survey respondents said they do not believe petfood manufacturers are "doing all they can to keep petfood free of Salmonella and other contaminants."
- Consumers are unaware of petfood quality control measures: The majority of survey respondents said they would be more likely to buy a petfood if they knew the manufacturer practiced strict separation of raw ingredients from cooked products, but just 15 percent said they know if the manufacturer of their petfood has such procedures in place.
- Manufacturers should hold petfood until test results come back clean: Nearly 100 percent of survey respondents said they are strongly against the common industry practice of shipping food to retail destinations before final test results from the manufacturing facilities have identified whether a batch of petfood is Salmonella-free.
- "Made in the USA" petfood is preferred: More than 84 percent of respondents said they prefer petfood products that are manufactured in a US facility, and 98 percent want to see ingredients come only from the US or other countries with similar regulatory systems.
- Consumers want petfood manufacturing kept "in-house": 80 percent of respondents said it is important to them that a petfood company manufactures its own food under the supervision of its own employees.
A recent petMD survey on petfood recalls showed that a majority of pet owners have concerns about petfood safety.
According to the survey, 86 percent respondents said that strict quality-control measures are important to them; however, only 15 percent said they know whether or not the manufacturer of their pet's food practices strict procedures.
"Responsible petfood companies go to extremes to keep the areas where raw ingredients are received and prepared separate from the areas where the cooked product is processed and packaged," said Dr. Lorie Huston, veterinary advisor to petMD. "What's disconcerting is that not many pet owners know whether their petfood company of choice practices these quality control procedures."
The survey's key findings include:
According to the survey, 86 percent respondents said that strict quality-control measures are important to them; however, only 15 percent said they know whether or not the manufacturer of their pet's food practices strict procedures.
"Responsible petfood companies go to extremes to keep the areas where raw ingredients are received and prepared separate from the areas where the cooked product is processed and packaged," said Dr. Lorie Huston, veterinary advisor to petMD. "What's disconcerting is that not many pet owners know whether their petfood company of choice practices these quality control procedures."
The survey's key findings include:
Friday, April 19, 2013
Kemin investigates raw material supplier
Kemin selects raw material suppliers after review and evaluation, and receives certificates of analysis on each lot of raw material purchased from the suppliers. Although the company performs additional testing at its own laboratory to verify suppliers' claims on the certificates of analysis, Kemin is investigating one of its tocopherol suppliers.
On April 3, certified lab results in Europe showed 40.035 nanograms/kilogram of dioxin in a single batch of Naturox IP Plus Dry, an antioxidant used in petfood. Kemin is replacing any unused antioxidants containing tocopherols from this supplier as a precaution.
Kemin has been in contact with all affected European customers to notify them that when the antioxidant is applied at recommended application rates, the amount of dioxin in finished petfood is 0.04 - 0.09 nanograms/kilogram—well below the maximum allowable limit for dioxin in Europe. The EU allowable limit for dioxin in finished petfood is 1.75 nanograms/kilogram. As a comparison, the US limit for dioxin is 200,000 nanograms/kilogram.
On April 3, certified lab results in Europe showed 40.035 nanograms/kilogram of dioxin in a single batch of Naturox IP Plus Dry, an antioxidant used in petfood. Kemin is replacing any unused antioxidants containing tocopherols from this supplier as a precaution.
Kemin has been in contact with all affected European customers to notify them that when the antioxidant is applied at recommended application rates, the amount of dioxin in finished petfood is 0.04 - 0.09 nanograms/kilogram—well below the maximum allowable limit for dioxin in Europe. The EU allowable limit for dioxin in finished petfood is 1.75 nanograms/kilogram. As a comparison, the US limit for dioxin is 200,000 nanograms/kilogram.
Petfood manufacturers challenged to eat their own petfood
At Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA, the team at Pet360, online community for pet owners, put representatives from major petfood manufacturers to the test.
The team challenged 12 petfood companies to eat their company's petfood live on camera as part of its "Eat Your Food" series. The "Eat Your Food" series also allows petfood companies to promote the nutritional benefits of their food.
“For the longest time, the biggest decision regarding petfood was whether to purchase wet or dry,” said Jon Roska Jr., vice president of merchandising at Pet360. “Now-a-days, pet owners are faced with a multitude of decisions, and there are a variety of gourmet options to choose from. We want to give brands the opportunity to prove that their food is the highest quality option for our customers’ pets, and what better way is there to do that than by consuming the food themselves?”
The team challenged 12 petfood companies to eat their company's petfood live on camera as part of its "Eat Your Food" series. The "Eat Your Food" series also allows petfood companies to promote the nutritional benefits of their food.
“For the longest time, the biggest decision regarding petfood was whether to purchase wet or dry,” said Jon Roska Jr., vice president of merchandising at Pet360. “Now-a-days, pet owners are faced with a multitude of decisions, and there are a variety of gourmet options to choose from. We want to give brands the opportunity to prove that their food is the highest quality option for our customers’ pets, and what better way is there to do that than by consuming the food themselves?”
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Investigation into counterfeit brand petfood sales in China underway
A business in China suspected of selling counterfeit brand-name petfood online is now being investigated by a quality-control group in Shanghai, China.
The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision began its investigation in February after receiving a report that a store on taobao.com was selling counterfeit brand-name cat and dog food for two years, with monthly sales of nearly 10,000 yuan (US$1,612).
The bureau and police spent a month investigating where the online store was storing the petfood products, finding that it changed warehouse sites frequently. Investigators found repacking machines, a scale, about 380 packages of petfood and empty packaging at a nearly 50-square-meter warehouse in rural Qingpu district.
According to the bureau, the owner said he hired employees to purchase ordinary petfood online and then repackage it in fake packaging that looks like the Royal Canin and Pedigree petfood brands. Police are still investigating the case.
The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision began its investigation in February after receiving a report that a store on taobao.com was selling counterfeit brand-name cat and dog food for two years, with monthly sales of nearly 10,000 yuan (US$1,612).
The bureau and police spent a month investigating where the online store was storing the petfood products, finding that it changed warehouse sites frequently. Investigators found repacking machines, a scale, about 380 packages of petfood and empty packaging at a nearly 50-square-meter warehouse in rural Qingpu district.
According to the bureau, the owner said he hired employees to purchase ordinary petfood online and then repackage it in fake packaging that looks like the Royal Canin and Pedigree petfood brands. Police are still investigating the case.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Researchers share latest on mycotoxins in animal feed
With nearly 500 known mycotoxins, interactions between toxins can make diagnosis difficult, and it can be further complicated by the presence of masked mycotoxins in animal feed. These complications can lead to an underestimation of certain mycotoxins by up to 88 percent, explaining why analyzed animal feed can show low levels of mycotoxins but still be problematic, according to research presented at Alltech's first North American Mycotoxin Management Summit in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
More than 65 members of the animal feed industry attended “Making Sense of the Maze... New Strategies for Old Problems,” where attendees learned about advances in mycotoxin research and analysis, as well as learned about Alltech's Mycotoxin Management Program.
“In the last two decades, advances in technology have altered our view of mycotoxin issues in the food chain. We now know it is a mycotoxin complex, and we have a better understanding of the physiological and pathological effects of mycotoxins” said Dr. Karl Dawson, chief scientific officer at Alltech.
In his presentation, “Mycotoxin Research, 20 Years and What Have We Learned,” Dawson discussed how researchers are now able to detect a greater number of mycotoxins with the use of LC-MS/MS methodology; can provide a risk assessment based on the mycotoxins that are found as they relate to the particular species being fed; and determine the correct mitigation strategy through balanced nutrition and the development of functional carbohydrates.
In addition to increased detection and assessment in the laboratory, researchers have also identified more risk factors at the farm level. According to Randy Asher, Animal Science Consulting, conditions such as stress (environmental, overcrowding and comfort), disease, diet and stray voltage can magnify a mycotoxin problem.
Johanna Fink-Gremmels, Utrecht University, noted that mycotoxins continue to be a concern for both animals and humans. “On the global scale we have to learn we need to deal with mycotoxins. We will never get rid of them. We have to be prepared that the sudden incidence of mycotoxins in grains will not be infrequent,” she said.
Speakers also touched on preparation and the necessity for producers and feed mills to implement a mycotoxin management program utilizing Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points-based principles. Speakers also said the industry needs to understand pre- and post- harvest mycotoxin contamination and identify hazards as well as potential control points for mitigation.
An entire track on mycotoxins will also be hosted at GLIMPSE 2020: the 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, May 19-22.
More than 65 members of the animal feed industry attended “Making Sense of the Maze... New Strategies for Old Problems,” where attendees learned about advances in mycotoxin research and analysis, as well as learned about Alltech's Mycotoxin Management Program.
“In the last two decades, advances in technology have altered our view of mycotoxin issues in the food chain. We now know it is a mycotoxin complex, and we have a better understanding of the physiological and pathological effects of mycotoxins” said Dr. Karl Dawson, chief scientific officer at Alltech.
In his presentation, “Mycotoxin Research, 20 Years and What Have We Learned,” Dawson discussed how researchers are now able to detect a greater number of mycotoxins with the use of LC-MS/MS methodology; can provide a risk assessment based on the mycotoxins that are found as they relate to the particular species being fed; and determine the correct mitigation strategy through balanced nutrition and the development of functional carbohydrates.
In addition to increased detection and assessment in the laboratory, researchers have also identified more risk factors at the farm level. According to Randy Asher, Animal Science Consulting, conditions such as stress (environmental, overcrowding and comfort), disease, diet and stray voltage can magnify a mycotoxin problem.
Johanna Fink-Gremmels, Utrecht University, noted that mycotoxins continue to be a concern for both animals and humans. “On the global scale we have to learn we need to deal with mycotoxins. We will never get rid of them. We have to be prepared that the sudden incidence of mycotoxins in grains will not be infrequent,” she said.
Speakers also touched on preparation and the necessity for producers and feed mills to implement a mycotoxin management program utilizing Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points-based principles. Speakers also said the industry needs to understand pre- and post- harvest mycotoxin contamination and identify hazards as well as potential control points for mitigation.
An entire track on mycotoxins will also be hosted at GLIMPSE 2020: the 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, May 19-22.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Stella & Chewy's petfood safety process granted patent
Stella & Chewy's, a freeze-dried petfood manufacturer, received an official patent for its food safety process (Patent No. 838317 B2), invented by the petfood company's founder and chairman, Marie Moody, and food safety scientist, Dr. James Marsden.
This patent was granted for the food safety process that combines high-pressure processing with an environmental pathogen-reducing treatment system, which continually sanitizes food-contact surfaces with cleansing plasma, safely and effectively destroying environmental pathogenic bacteria.
According to Marsden, professor of food safety at Kansas State University: “Under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the Food and Drug Administration will likely require all petfood manufacturers to develop and implement a written food safety plan for review and approval by FDA. These food safety plans will include HACCP-based, validated interventions to eliminate and control harmful bacteria and other food safety hazards. For the raw petfood industry, this means that their processes must be designed to eliminate harmful bacteria during the manufacturing process.
"Stella and Chewy’s has already met this challenge through the implementation of its patented food safety process in which the raw materials for petfood diets and treats are subjected to high-pressure processing," Marsden continues. "HPP is an intervention that has been scientifically validated as a means to control Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and pathogenic strains of E. coli. This technology allows for the destruction of harmful bacteria in raw foods without using heat, irradiation or chemicals.”
This patent was granted for the food safety process that combines high-pressure processing with an environmental pathogen-reducing treatment system, which continually sanitizes food-contact surfaces with cleansing plasma, safely and effectively destroying environmental pathogenic bacteria.
According to Marsden, professor of food safety at Kansas State University: “Under the Food Safety Modernization Act, the Food and Drug Administration will likely require all petfood manufacturers to develop and implement a written food safety plan for review and approval by FDA. These food safety plans will include HACCP-based, validated interventions to eliminate and control harmful bacteria and other food safety hazards. For the raw petfood industry, this means that their processes must be designed to eliminate harmful bacteria during the manufacturing process.
"Stella and Chewy’s has already met this challenge through the implementation of its patented food safety process in which the raw materials for petfood diets and treats are subjected to high-pressure processing," Marsden continues. "HPP is an intervention that has been scientifically validated as a means to control Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and pathogenic strains of E. coli. This technology allows for the destruction of harmful bacteria in raw foods without using heat, irradiation or chemicals.”
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Veterinary Medicine Caucus formed in US House
Veterinarians and congressmen, Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho, have formed the Veterinary Medicine Caucus in the US House of Representatives in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of veterinary medicine to animal health and welfare, food safety, public health, research and the overall economy.
The Veterinary Medicine Caucus, which other House members are encouraged to join, will also draft legislation and conduct briefings and hearings.
“Together, I hope we can use our unique experience and perspective in the field of veterinary medicine to educate and engage our fellow members of Congress,” Schrader said.
Schrader also recently introduced HR1225, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. If approved, the legislation would provide a federal income tax exemption for financial awards granted under the program. The program would allow eligible veterinarians to receive up to US$25,000 per year toward qualified educational loans, if they agree to serve three years in a designated veterinarian-shortage area.
The Veterinary Medicine Caucus, which other House members are encouraged to join, will also draft legislation and conduct briefings and hearings.
“Together, I hope we can use our unique experience and perspective in the field of veterinary medicine to educate and engage our fellow members of Congress,” Schrader said.
Schrader also recently introduced HR1225, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. If approved, the legislation would provide a federal income tax exemption for financial awards granted under the program. The program would allow eligible veterinarians to receive up to US$25,000 per year toward qualified educational loans, if they agree to serve three years in a designated veterinarian-shortage area.
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