FDA failing to protect pets from jerky treats, nonprofit claims

Food & Water Watch, a US nonprofit organization that works to ensure safe and sustainable food and water, issued a statement, in which the organization claims that the US Food and Drug Administration is failing to protect pets from potentially toxic chicken jerky treats made in China.
According to Food & Water Watch executive director, Wenonah Hauter: "Since 2007, thousands of American dogs have fallen ill or died after eating jerky treats made in China. In the past of couple days, it has come to light that Chinese government officials overseeing the factories that make the questionable treats refused to allow US inspectors to collect samples for independent analysis.
"While this lack of cooperation shows an unfortunate disregard for health and safety on behalf of the Chinese government, it's the Food and Drug Administration who has shirked its responsibility to keep U.S. citizens and their pets safe and it's the FDA who must step up and block these potentially deadly treats from harming more animals.
"The FDA waited until it received 2,000 reports of illnesses and deaths in US dogs before launching its investigation. Although the China investigation took place in April, it took the FDA four months to admit that they were denied permission from collecting samples from the Chinese facilities. As the FDA dragged its feet, the suspect treats remained on store shelves and put thousands of dogs at risk.
"What's more disgraceful than the FDA's dawdling is the fact that it has full authority under Section 306 of the Food Safety Modernization Act to refuse shipments of these treats from China now. Enough is enough. It's time for the FDA to issue an import alert on all pet food manufactured in China before more animals and the humans that love them suffer needlessly," says Hauter.

PetFlow ships US$2.5 million in pet food, supplies in July

PetFlow.com, an online pet food retailer, set a record in July by shipping more than US$2.5 million in pet food and pet supplies, and the company projects it will generate more than US$30 million in sales by the end of the year.
The online petfood retailer has seen much growth since its founding a little more than two years ago, now stocking more than 100 premium pet food brands, as well as a variety of other pet food brands and pet supplies.
“Since our inception a little more than two years ago, PetFlow.com has experienced extremely aggressive growth, but the statistic we’re most proud of is the very high return rate of our pet-owning customers,” said Alex Zhardanovsky, co-founder of PetFlow.com. “The company’s growth demonstrates that our customers see their pet as a true family member and they profoundly prefer PetFlow.com’s subscription approach to purchasing pet food and supplies when compared to the traditional, big box retailer approach to shopping.” 

RECALL: Bil-Jac recalls dry dog food for possible mold contamination

Dog food manufacturer Bil-Jac Foods is recalling one batch, 256 cases, of 6-pound Adult Select Formula Dog Food from retailers’ stores and warehouses due to a few reports of mold in bags from the batch.
The recall includes a total of 1,024 bags of dry dog food marked with batch number 1792-02 and an expiration date of December 27, 2013. The yet-to-be-determined mold in some of the bags was caused by higher moisture content in the food, according to a statement on the company’s website.
“We’ve only found mold in a few bags; most of the batch was fine,” said Dr. Allen Bingham, a staff veterinarian for Bil-Jac Foods. “An outside laboratory is currently testing the food in the affected bags, and we are trying to make sure we know what’s going on; we’re being overly cautious.”
Consumers with questions about refunds or returns may call +1.800.321.1002  x239, and ask for Shannon, during business hours, Monday to Friday, EDT. 

All American Pet Company launches new protein dog treat line

CHEWIES are a line of super-premium protein treats for dogs, available in a variety of flavors.

All American Pet Company Inc. has launched a new super-premium protein treat for dogs called CHEWIES.
The semi-moist 1/4-ounce chunks are of the same all-natural formula as the company's NutraBar. Packaged in a one-pound canister, the treats come in basic flavors along with the fun Ben & Jerry's-style flavors.
The company says it will be able to produce two to three tons of the treats per hour, which equates to 4,000 to 6,000 canisters per hour. 

Hill's Pet Nutrition petfood truck for dogs on tour across US

The Pet Cafe, a food truck sponsored by petfood maker Hill’s Pet Nutrition is touring the United States to promote the company’s Science Diet Ideal Balance line of dog and cat foods and treats.
At each stop, free samples are given out to dogs and cats, while their owners receive coupons for petfood discounts.
October stops will include:
• Santa Monica 5000 in Santa Monica, California, USA, October 7
• Los Angeles, California pet retailers and dog parks, October 9-10
• San Diego, California, pet retailers and dog parks, October 11-12
• San Diego, California, Pet Expo, October 13-14
• Arizona State Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, October 18-21 and October 25-28
• Phoenix, Arizona, USA, pet retailers and dog parks, October 22 and 29
The food truck’s schedule is updated online.

DNA Pet Food rewards program lets store employees and customers receive free and discounted dog and cat food

DNA Pet Food Inc. has launched “Real Rewards,” an online points program that rewards independent pet specialty store employees and their customers with free pet food.
Each employee can earn up to US$120 in free dog or cat food every month by giving away offers to try a free bag of DNA pet food to consumers.
Each consumer then receives email offers that include their first bag of dog or cat food free and two more high-value discounts totaling more than US$20.00. After 90 days of email offers, each consumer is invited to “tell a friend” by sending them the same offer for free DNA dog or cat food and discounts on petfood.
All coupons associated with the DNA Real Rewards program are printed with the consumer name and pet store name on them, and are tracked to give the employee that made the original recommendation credit in their points account.
Independent pet specialty retailers and employees may register for the program online at www.dnapetfood.com/rewards.

PetSmart reports total sales of US$1.6 billion in second-quarter 2012

Pet food and pet supplies retailer PetSmart Inc. reported earnings of US$0.71 per share, up 31 percent compared to US$0.54 per share in the second quarter of 2011. Net income totaled US$79 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared to US$61 million in the second quarter of 2011.
Total sales for the second quarter of 2012 increased 9 percent to US$1.6 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by US$4 million in unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations. Comparable store sales, or sales in stores open at least a year, grew 7.0 percent, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.9 percent. Services sales, which are included in total sales, grew 7 percent to US$191 million.
During the second quarter, the company generated US$104 million in operating cash flow, spent US$35 million in capital expenditures, distributed US$15 million in dividends and repurchased US$47 million of PetSmart stock. The company ended the second quarter with $354 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and zero borrowings on its credit facility.
“As a reminder, 2012 contains a 53rd week. For all of 2012, we anticipate comparable store sales growth in the mid-single digit range, and total sales growth in the 10 percent to 11 percent range. We are raising our earnings per share guidance from a previous range of US$3.19 to US$3.31, to our current expectations of US$3.30 to US$3.40. The impact of the extra week is estimated to be US$120 million in sales and US$0.16 in EPS,” said Chip Molloy, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "For the third quarter of 2012, we are expecting comparable store sales growth in the mid-single digit range, and earnings per share between US$0.59 to US$0.63.”