Consumer-funded testing finds 11 of 12 petfoods contaminated

A number of petfood brands have tested positive for potentially harmful bacteria and other contaminants, according to a project funded by a group of pet owners and coordinated by the Association for Truth in Pet Food.

The project is the first of its kind to use crowdfunding to test pet products: In April 2014, an IndieGoGo campaign began to raise US$10,000 " to test many different brands and varieties of petfood for dangerous contaminants." The campaign said that all test results would become public  information, including brand names, and that all at-risk results would be provided to petfood regulatory authorities. Once the money was raised (US$15,705 by the time the campaign ended in June 2014), Association for Truth in Pet Food oversaw the project and documented each product tested, compiling results for dissemination to the public and authorities.
The Pet Food Test examined 12 petfood products, six cat foods and six dog foods, according to the association. Testing was performed with the assistance of INTI Services. Eleven petfood products were ordered online (shipped directly from the online retailer to INTI Services) and one petfood product was purchased directly from a veterinarian. Products were shipped "blind" to numerous laboratories contracted by INTI Services.
Products were tested for mycotoxins, guaranteed analysis/mineral content, cyanuric acid and melamine, euthanizing drugs and bacteria:

• The budget allowed for testing of eight (of 12) petfoods for 37 different mycotoxins. Results found all petfoods had some level of mycotoxin contamination; four petfoods tested as Low Risk, two petfoods tested as Medium Risk and two petfoods tested as High Risk.
• All 12 petfood products were tested for Guaranteed Analysis nutrient and mineral content. Results were compared with AAFCO nutrient requirements and suggested nutrient maximum as established by the National Research Council’s (NRC) publication Mineral Tolerances of Animals. Testing found four instances in excess of nutrient maximum suggested by NRC in cat foods, five instances in excess of nutrient maximum suggested by NRC in dog foods and five instances of excess of AAFCO regulatory nutrient maximum in dog foods.
• All 12 petfood products were tested for cyanuric acid and melamine; results found no measurable level of either contaminant.
• All 12 petfood products were tested for euthanizing drugs; results found no measurable amount of these contaminants in any petfood tested.
• All 12 petfood products were tested for bacteria content (results stated in percentage of total bacterial content). Results found: nine petfoods contained one or more bacteria FDA terms as 'Qualifying Pathogens' which "have the potential to pose a serious threat to public health"; 10 petfoods contained one or more "Pathogenic Microorganisms" listed in the FDA's Bad Bug Book; nine petfoods contained one or more bacteria the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations links to "spoilage of meat"; and nine petfoods contained one or more potential pathogenic bacteria per analysis by Dr. Jean Dodds.
The full report can be found on the association's website, including infographics, an overview of results and the full results.

Dead dogs used as petfood fat, protein in Spain, reports say

A criminal gang in Spain reportedly used the bodies of dogs and other animals from animal sanctuaries, vets, zoos and farms to process as protein and fats that could be used in petfood and animal feed, according to laboratory tests of commercial petfood in Spain.
In 2012, Spanish police discovered a warehouse containing 15 metric tons of dead, stray dogs in the town of As Neves, Galicia, as well as similar warehouses in Northern Spain. Police believed the dead dogs were to be processed for use in animal feed.
Following the discovery, Guardia Civil's environmental branch, Seprona, sent samples of commercial petfood to Anfaco-Cecopesca laboratories in Spain. The lab's tests of fat samples intended for animal feed at one processing plant in Aldeaseca de la Frontera, Salamanca, found DNA traces of dog and sheep, reports say. 

New feeding trial created for JustFoodForDogs

Cal Poly Pomona has created a new feeding trial for JustFoodForDogs, which the pet food company says prioritizes the quality of life of the dogs involved in the feeding trail as well as still provides real-world data from the volunteer pets and pet owners.
Cal Poly Pomona's Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department helped design the method to satisfy Association of American Feed Control Officials' requirements. The study utilized volunteer dogs living normal canine lives in their own homes throughout the testing. Participants included 2 dogs of various sizes and breeds between 1 and 5 years old, who were studied throughout the 182-day feeding trial and tested three of the company's pet food recipes. AAFCO requires testing of four blood parameters, but this trial tested a complete blood cell count and chemistry panel looking at more than 25 blood parameters.
"The field method we developed takes significantly more effort than the standard industry approach, but to JustFoodForDogs it was absolutely worth it. The dogs are happy and the data is scientifically valid," said Dr. Broc Sandelin, chair of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department.

Gemoscan develops new Pet Food Intolerance Test

Gemoscan Canada Inc., a marketer of food sensitivity and dietary management solutions, announced that it has completed research, development and beta testing of a new Pet Food Intolerance Test.
The company says that some research has shown that up to 10 percent of dogs and cats may suffer from petfood intolerances or allergies.
Gemoscan's PFIT management program is based on the company's blood testing technology, portions of which are used to manage food intolerances in humans through its HEMOCODE and MenuWise retail programs. The PFIT test assess for 80 foods and additives. The test was developed in consultation with veterinary doctors, while the ingredients being analyzed were determined after a review of approximately 100 different commercially available dry and canned foods. 

Panelis cattery offers cat food palatability testing in North America

Panelis, part of the Diana Pet Food division, is an independent team of trained animal technicians, behaviorists and statisticians that observe and measure the consumption and enjoyment of pet food by canine and feline expert panels. Its cat food palatability testing services are now available for customers in the US and Canada through the establishment of Panelis North America and its recently opened cattery in Hodges, South Carolina, USA.


Panelis North America's cattery is located in Hodges, South Carolina, USA.

Panelis North America provides information to help pet food manufacturers make strategic decisions related to palatability. At the North American cattery, the company has approximately 80 cats that are responsible for tasting a variety of cat foods. Panelis North America says it has future plans to include a second cattery and a kennel.