Husband and wife Stephen and Sally Miller, along with their company, ChemNutra Inc., pleaded guilty June 16 to distributing a tainted ingredient used to make petfood that reportedly sickened or killed thousands of pets, according to The Associated Press.
The federal indictment alleged they knowingly brought wheat gluten tainted with melamine into the US and proceeded to sell it to petfood manufacturers.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Free seminar on FDA regulations
East-West Logistics Inc. is hosting a free seminar on June 29 from 2-5 pm PST during which FDA officials will explain and address questions about agency regulations.
“Avoiding FDA Issues and Improving Your Bottom Line Seminar” will take place at the Holiday Inn, 14299 Firestone Boulevard, La Mirada, Calif., 90638.
For more information, e-mail Deatra Wheeler at deatraw@2eastwest.com or call +1.714.690.3700, ext. 146.
“Avoiding FDA Issues and Improving Your Bottom Line Seminar” will take place at the Holiday Inn, 14299 Firestone Boulevard, La Mirada, Calif., 90638.
For more information, e-mail Deatra Wheeler at deatraw@2eastwest.com or call +1.714.690.3700, ext. 146.
Monday, June 22, 2009
New Canadian petfood import regulations
Canada's new import requirements for petfoods, treats and compound chews become effective July 1, 2009. These commodities will only be allowed entry into Canada with a valid import permit held by the Canadian importer.
US facilities that wish to continue exporting petfoods, treats or compound chews with bovinae ingredients (except ingredients identified by the OIE as essentially BSE risk free) must be inspected and approved by APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS), and each shipment of petfood with bovinae ingredients must be certified by VS.
The CFIA Questionnaire for US Bovinae Pet Food Facilities must be endorsed by VS and the originals given to the facility for submission by the Canadian importer to CFIA as part of the import permit application process. See the Guidelines for Bovinae Pet Food Facilities for more information.
US facilities that only desire to continue exporting pet foods, treats or compound chews with no bovinae ingredients must complete the CFIA Questionnaire for US Non-Bovinae Pet Food Facilities. See the Guidelines for Non-Bovinae Pet Food Facilities for more information.
US facilities that export pet chews to Canada present special challenges if the companies are importing finished pet chews from third countries for re-export to Canada or are importing ingredients from third countries that are not substantially changed in the manufacture of pet chews for export. See the Guidelines for Pet Chews Facilities for more information.
US facilities that wish to continue exporting petfoods, treats or compound chews with bovinae ingredients (except ingredients identified by the OIE as essentially BSE risk free) must be inspected and approved by APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS), and each shipment of petfood with bovinae ingredients must be certified by VS.
The CFIA Questionnaire for US Bovinae Pet Food Facilities must be endorsed by VS and the originals given to the facility for submission by the Canadian importer to CFIA as part of the import permit application process. See the Guidelines for Bovinae Pet Food Facilities for more information.
US facilities that only desire to continue exporting pet foods, treats or compound chews with no bovinae ingredients must complete the CFIA Questionnaire for US Non-Bovinae Pet Food Facilities. See the Guidelines for Non-Bovinae Pet Food Facilities for more information.
US facilities that export pet chews to Canada present special challenges if the companies are importing finished pet chews from third countries for re-export to Canada or are importing ingredients from third countries that are not substantially changed in the manufacture of pet chews for export. See the Guidelines for Pet Chews Facilities for more information.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wenger announces processing technology seminar
Wenger Manufacturing announced the company's annual three-day Pet Food Processing Technology Seminar will be held November 10-12 at the Wenger Technical Center in Sabetha, Kansas, USA. The course, which includes both classroom and hands-on training, is open to all plant management and operations personnel involved in the petfood industry.
Wenger expanded the course to include two curriculum tracks: one for operations/maintenance personnel and one for R&D/engineering personnel.
For more information or to register, click here.
Wenger expanded the course to include two curriculum tracks: one for operations/maintenance personnel and one for R&D/engineering personnel.
For more information or to register, click here.
Natura helps dog shelter recover from fire
Natura Pet Products announced teaming up with local businesses to help the German Shepherd Rescue in Tehachapi, California, USA, recover from a fire that destroyed its facility.
In late April, the no-kill shelter for dogs caught fire. First responders were able to retrieve the German shepherds, but the blaze destroyed the shelter’s facility and owner’s home.
Natura partnered with Gil’s Bike Shop and Canine Creek Pet Wash & Boutique to donate and raffle a mountain biker at a local farmer’s market in August. All raffle proceeds will be used to purchase petfood for the German Shepherd Rescue.
In late April, the no-kill shelter for dogs caught fire. First responders were able to retrieve the German shepherds, but the blaze destroyed the shelter’s facility and owner’s home.
Natura partnered with Gil’s Bike Shop and Canine Creek Pet Wash & Boutique to donate and raffle a mountain biker at a local farmer’s market in August. All raffle proceeds will be used to purchase petfood for the German Shepherd Rescue.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Research firm: Pet industry to grow in 2009
The pet industry is expected to generate $51.6 billion this year, an increase of 1.3%from 2008, according to US industry research firm IBISWorld.
The firm predicted petfood production, which makes up 30% of the pet industry, to generate $15.2 billion this year and grow steadily in the next five years.
Over half of all pet owners have shown concern in what their pets are eating, according to IBISWorld, causing a shift in demand for premium, natural and organic petfood.
“Americans consider their pets as members of the family, making businesses that cater to our four-legged friends a stable, growing market,” said George Van Horn, senior analyst at IBISWorld.
The firm predicted petfood production, which makes up 30% of the pet industry, to generate $15.2 billion this year and grow steadily in the next five years.
Over half of all pet owners have shown concern in what their pets are eating, according to IBISWorld, causing a shift in demand for premium, natural and organic petfood.
“Americans consider their pets as members of the family, making businesses that cater to our four-legged friends a stable, growing market,” said George Van Horn, senior analyst at IBISWorld.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
FDA suspends Evanger's permit
The FDA announced the suspension of a petfood manufacturer’s temporary emergency permit to ship its products due to a lack of compliance with the permit’s mandates.
FDA inspections conducted earlier this year determined Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Company deviated from the prescribed production of the company's thermally processed low-acid canned food products, possibly resulting in under-processed petfood.
Evanger’s vice president Joel Sher responded June 15 in the company’s blog, stating that the permit suspension stemmed from miscommunication between the FDA and his company.
Sher said the company’s processing authority told the FDA he intended to file a single heating process that would cover all petfoods using the most rigorous heating process, with the intention that the heating process would add an additional layer of safety.
The FDA disagreed, stating Evanger’s failed to provide documentation on all formula types that the company intended to include under the same heating process.Evanger's must document corrective actions and processing procedures in order to resume shipping in interstate commerce, according to the FDA.
FDA inspections conducted earlier this year determined Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Company deviated from the prescribed production of the company's thermally processed low-acid canned food products, possibly resulting in under-processed petfood.
Evanger’s vice president Joel Sher responded June 15 in the company’s blog, stating that the permit suspension stemmed from miscommunication between the FDA and his company.
Sher said the company’s processing authority told the FDA he intended to file a single heating process that would cover all petfoods using the most rigorous heating process, with the intention that the heating process would add an additional layer of safety.
The FDA disagreed, stating Evanger’s failed to provide documentation on all formula types that the company intended to include under the same heating process.Evanger's must document corrective actions and processing procedures in order to resume shipping in interstate commerce, according to the FDA.
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