AAFCO opposes Pet Food Institute’s proposed federal pathway for pet food label reviews

USA- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) issued a statement expressing concerns about Pet Food Institute’s (PFI) proposal for a new system to federally regulate pet food. Over the past few months, PFI proposed a federal system to address concerns about the current label review process, which varies from state to state.  The proposal involves lobbying for a…

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Jana Partners files lawsuit against Freshpet over breached fiduciary responsibilities

USA- Activist investor Jana Partners’s fire on New Jersey-based Freshpet intensifies as it files a lawsuit alleging the pet-food company breached its fiduciary duties. The investor recently blasted Freshpet over governance changes that could impact the investor’s ability to secure board seats, and has now turned that complaint into a legal undertaking, filing a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery…

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Italian ASSALCO reveals rising pet population and near US$3 bln pet food sales in 2022

ITALY- The Italian National Association for Pet Food and Pet Care Companies (ASSALCO) and Zoomark recently released the 16th edition of their joint report on the Italian pet industry, revealing a rising pet population and pet food sales of almost US$3 billion.  According to the report, pet ownership in Italy continues to increase steadily, with 42% of Italian families owning…

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Malaysian Nutrition Technologies gains access to the EU pet food market  

EUROPE- Nutrition Technologies, an insect-based protein ingredients manufacturer operating in Malaysia and Singapore, will now be exporting its insect meal to the European Union (EU), the first company from Malaysia to gain this approval. According to the company, in 2022, Malaysia, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and South Korea became eligible to export insects and insect-based products to the EU. …

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American VetriScience improves anti-allergy capabilities with new dog supplements launch

USA- FoodScience-owned VetriScience recently debuted two new pet supplements, expanding its line of allergy and immune health offerings for dogs.  The launched Immune Plus and Omega Plus supplements target seasonal and environmental allergies, immune function, and skin and coat health in dogs. “We are excited to offer dog owners this lineup of advanced allergy and immune support supplements formulated to…

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Freshpet installs Walter George as new board chair to support operational improvement 

USA- American Freshpet, Inc. recently reshuffled its board, making various personnel changes as part of the fresh pet food company’s operational improvement plan. For example, the current Chair of the Board, Charles Norris, announced his retirement and that he will not stand for reelection during Freshpet’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In his place, Walter George, Freshpet’s current chair of…

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Mars reinforces French pet food capabilities with multi-million dollar investment 

FRANCE- Privately-owned confectionery giant Mars recently revealed plans to invest €130m (US$140m) in its sites in France across four business units. Romain Dumas, the CEO of Mars’ pet-food business in the country, outlined the plans at the pan-industry Choose France investment summit. According to Dumas, the company will increase production capacity across its four French units – the confectionery-focused Mars…

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Scoular acquires frozen fish processing facility to bolster pet food ingredients business 

USA- Nebraska-based global agribusiness Scoular has acquired Northwest Farm Food Cooperative’s frozen fish processing facility in Burlington, Washington to strengthen its pet food ingredients business.    The acquired facility upcycles fish trimmings by processing them into frozen fish ingredients for pet food manufacturers.  This acquisition complements Scoular’s recent joint venture fishmeal processing facility in Warrenton, Oregon.  The US$17.5 million facility upcycles…

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US pet-food manufacturer Alphia considers possible sale as acquisitions drive industry growth

USA- Kansas-based Alphia, a pet food manufacturer with milling, manufacturing and logistics capabilities, is considering a sale, but no final decision has been reached, according to a story by Reuters.   According to the report by Reuters, quoting unnamed “people familiar with matter” the private equity-owned manufacturer is said to be working with investment bank Goldman Sachs on a potential deal.…

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Hill’s Pet Nutrition profits dropped on higher production costs while sales surged by 14% in Q1 2023

USA- The finances of Colgate-Palmolive-owned Hill’s Pet Nutrition followed a similar pattern as the final quarter of 2022, with net sales increasing by 14% to US$1,061 million and profits declining by 10% in quarter 1 of 2023. “Hill’s delivered another double-digit net and organic sales growth quarter despite a difficult comparison,” Colgate-Palmolive executives said in a press release. “Organic sales grew…

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