Pet Food Regulations: Page 38

Pet Food Regulations

AAFCO Official Publication goes online

Any petfood manufacturer distributing product in the US needs to be familiar with the contents of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Official Publication (OP) to formulate and label products to be in compliance with the regulations of most states. As mentioned in my October Petfood Industry column, an online version of the OP is now available.

Brand Insights

Solving Separation and Segregation Issues in Pet Food Blends

Horizon Systems

Industry trends of using finer ingredients like starches, fillers and flow agents — also regrind and recycle materials — in greater percentages can result in ingredient separation and segregation, affecting your final product.

Solving Separation and Segregation Issues in Pet Food Blends

Pet Food Safety

Petfood safety purrs and growls for 2013

The recent release of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) caps a year of news, progress, regress and concerns about petfood safety in the US, making this a fitting time to assign accolades and criticisms to entities and people involved.

Pet Food Market

Release of FSMA petfood preventive control rule had curious timing

It would be a stretch to say that US petfood manufacturers welcomed last week's release, finally, of the proposed feed/petfood preventive control rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Complying to the new regulations, once the final version is released next year, will require significant investments by some manufacturers. Yet after months--actually, years--of waiting to see these specific rules that apply to feed and petfood, at least the industry finally knows exactly what it's facing.

Register for free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar 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 free Microbiological Diagnostics Validation webinar will be presented by Trouw Nutrition on November 22.

FDA issues proposed preventative control rules for petfood, animal feed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 25 issued the proposed rule on Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. The regulations would apply to all domestic and imported animal feed, including petfood and treats, and the raw ingredients in those products.

AAFCO opens registration for 2014 Midyear Meeting

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has opened registration for its 2014 Midyear Meeting, planned for January 8-10, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The meeting will provide an opportunity for one-on-one conversations and networking with Control Officials, industry representatives and others interested in working together on animal feed and petfood issues.

Confusion on petfood coverage in proposal to label genetically modified foods

Advertisements for a proposal to label genetically modified foods in Washington, USA, are causing confusion over whether or not the initiative would cover petfood and meats for human consumption. The fight over the wording of the proposal comes after a measure known as Proposition 37 was defeated in California, USA, in 2012, which had similar wording and major companies funding both sides of the proposal.

Pet Food Regulations

FDA offers guidance on food and color additives in petfoods

In September, the agency published two guidance documents (one proposed, one final) regarding additives for use in animal feed, including petfood. The subject matter that is covered by these documents is not particularly new; however, the guidance they offer to the petfood industry is very helpful.

US government shutdown delays release of FSMA Preventative Controls for Animal Food proposed rule

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) furloughed 68 percent of its staff as a result of the US government shutdown, which impacts the monitoring of foodborne illnesses and contaminants and delays indefinitely the release of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Animal Food proposed rule.

Pet Food Market

Petfood and GMO legislation cross paths again

While the US federal government shutdown may threaten legislative-related activity, such as the pending release of the preventive control rule for feed (including petfood) under the Food Safety Modernization Act, plenty of things are still happening at the state and local level. For example, a proposed law on the ballot for November 5 elections in Washington state that would require labeling of genetically modified foods is causing a war of words that has ensnared petfood.

Dog and Cat Food Nutrition

FDA guidance document on new regulations for color additives in petfood available

The US Food and Drug Administration made available a document to help small businesses comply with regulations on declaring color additives in food for animals. The Guidance for Industry #223, Small Entity Compliance Guide – Declaring Color Additives in Animal Foods, provides background information plus answers to questions on the 2011 regulation, which requires all color additives subject to FDA’s certification process be listed on product labels for petfood and animal feed.

Pet Food Market

Finished product testing a hot petfood safety topic

Should petfood manufacturers regularly test their finished products for Salmonella, holding them in inventory until test results return? And should that testing be mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the new preventive control rule for feed soon to be released under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?

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