High level of toxins in corn grains blamed for Kroger petfood recall

Tennessee Department of Agriculture and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators found elevated levels of the toxic substance aflatoxin in some corn grains to blame for the Kroger Co. petfood recall in late December 2010.
"We took finished samples and grain samples that were stored and used to make petfood," said Tom Womack, spokesman for the Tennessee, USA, Department of Agriculture. "We did find some elevated levels in some grains stored there."
Kroger's recall involved several brands of cat and dog foods, including Pet Pride, Old Yeller and Kroger Value, all made at the subsidiary plant of Delight Products Co., in Springfield, Tennessee, USA. The products were sold to consumers in 19 states before being recalled in December 2010 for the possible presence of aflatoxin, a substance created by fungus that can result in sluggishness, severe and bloody diarrhea and death in animals that consume it.
At least two consumers in Tennessee and Georgia, USA, claimed their pets died as a result of the petfood contamination; however, FDA's office that oversees the Southeast did not receive any consumer complaints regarding the recalled product, according to Natalie Guidry, an FDA spokeswoman. Results of FDA sample collections are still pending and findings of its investigations have not yet been made public, FDA said. For more information on the recall, customers can call Kroger at +1.800.632.6900 or click here.

AFIA commends FDA on Compliance Policy Guide for Salmonella in petfood

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) filed comments on December 31, 2010, supporting the US Food and Drug Administration’s updated Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) Sec. 690.800 on Salmonella in animal feed, including petfood.
FDA created CPGs to direct its field staff who regulate compliance policies for animal feed or feed ingredients contaminated with Salmonella as well as products that come into direct contact with humans, such as petfood.
“For many years, AFIA has urged FDA to separate how the agency polices Salmonella in food and feed, and we applaud this separation. Now, Salmonella found in feed will not always be deemed adulterated, which is a break with the past and a good break,” said Richard Sellers, AFIA vice president.
AFIA also recently initiated the Salmonella in Feed Research Coalition in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The purpose of the Coalition is to define research priorities for Salmonella in feed and to map out research protocols at ARS facilities. The first formal coalition meeting is tentatively scheduled for early 2011, which scientists from the Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Research have been encouraged to participate in.

Stella & Chewy's, shortbread treats among top 10 dog products of 2010

Dog News Daily has released its "Top 10 Dog Products" for 2010, and the list includes Stella & Chewy's Chicken Freeze Dried Dinner and Shortbread Cookies, a dog treat from Exclusively Pet.
Other products to make the list for 2010 include:

• The Supercollar, a collar/leash hybrid
• Dog Fashion: The Bathrobe Collection by Romy & Jacob
• Skin Care Product: Skin Rescue Lotion by DerMagic
• Shampoo: Papaya Plus 2-in-1 Shampoo by Tropiclean
• Dog Carrier: The Amelia Tote on Wheels by Sherpa Pet
• Car Safety Product: The Auto Zip Line by Kurgo
• Leash: The Kujo by Ezy Dog
• Dog Bed: The Co-sleeper Pet Bunk Bed by Arms Reach

Hill's Pet Nutrition granted 10-year property tax break

Hill's Pet Nutrition has been granted a 10-year break on property taxes related to its new, 500,000-square-foot petfood facility opened in early 2010.
The Emporia, Kan., City Council granted the abatement after Hill's met specific requirements, including more than $100 million in real property improvements and the creation of 100 area jobs. The requirements, and the resulting tax breaks, were part of prior negotiations between Hill's and city and economic development officials.

Study: Healthy cats can act sick when their routine is disrupted

Healthy cats were just as likely as chronically ill cats to refuse food, vomit frequently and leave waste outside their litter box in response to changes in their routine, according to the Ohio State University study.
Veterinary clinicians refer to these acts as sickness behaviors.The researchers documented sickness behaviors in healthy cats and in cats with feline interstitial cystitis, a chronic illness characterized by recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and often both an urgent and frequent need to urinate.
When the cats experienced what were called “unusual external events,” such as a change in feeding schedule or caretaker, the healthy cats were just as likely to exhibit sickness behaviors as were the chronically ill cats. The two groups had the same number of sickness behaviors in response to unusual events, and both groups were at more than three times the risk of acting sick when their routines were disrupted.
Previous research has indicated that a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, known as IC, in cats is strongly associated with a number of other health problems. The fact that healthy cats exhibit some of those same problems in the face of stress suggests that veterinary clinicians should consider cats’ environmental conditions during assessments for health problems, researchers say.
The study is published in the Jan. 1, 2011, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Halo, Ellen DeGeneres donate 1 million meals to shelter pets

Ellen DeGeneres and Halo, Purely for Pets teamed up to donate 1 million meals to shelter dogs.
The initiative was originally announced March 17, 2010, on DeGeneres' show. Halo announced that this goal was recently completed, ensuring shelter pets have healthy food to eat and raising awareness of pet adoption.

FDA seeks comment on establishment of network for tracking petfood diseases

The US Food and Drug Administration is seeking comment on issues related to a proposed Pet Event Tracking Network (PETNet) for detection of petfood-related illnesses.
FDA is seeking public comments on the paperwork and regulatory burdens associated with the proposed establishment of PETNet, which would be "a system for sharing information between FDA, other Federal agencies, and the States about food-borne illness outbreaks in companion animals," according to FDA.
PETNet would provide timely information about petfood-related incidents to FDA, as well as to federal government agencies and officials in all 50 US states that choose to participate. Members of the network would be able to both receive and create alerts about petfood incidents. The deadline for comment is Jan. 24, 2011. More information on PETNet and how to submit comments can be found here.