PFMA Disputes More Than Pet Food Claims

PFMA Disputes More Than Pet Food Claims

The Pet Food Manufacturers' Association's veterinary nutrition team, (PFMA) has moved quickly to question statistics quoted in the More Than study on pet food labelling (reported by UKPets last week).

The PFMA says it is disappointed by the recent More Than press statement which it says, was misleading and inaccurate. In response the PFMA has issued the following point by point statement:

1. We feel the More Than study is largely anecdotal. We certainly don't feel there is scientific evidence to support the claim that 1 in 10 cats and dogs suffer from food intolerances.

It is very difficult to get a clear picture of the prevalence of food sensitivities due to the difficulties of diagnosis. There is no single clinical test to confirm or refute a food sensitivity and an elimination diet is the only reliable method. However, work in this area suggests that food allergies and intolerances in cats and dogs are rare .

2. The problem lies with the animal and the way it reacts to food, rather than the food necessarily being at fault. Susceptible cats and dogs would benefit from a fixed diet formula i.e. the ingredients in the food are the same every time. Many premium life-stage products which are widely available, provide a full ingredients listing and would help owners select a fixed formula product.

3. For the small minority of pets who suffer from dietary sensitivity, there is a specific EU directive for labelling which enables manufacturers to highlight diets which have been designed for particular nutritional purposes. This means the products can be clearly and easily identified by pet owners.

4. Pet food labelling legislation is comprehensive and recognises the varying needs of individual pet owners. In addition to the products noted above manufacturers produce 'value life stage products'. These products are more likely to have ingredients listed by category. This enables manufacturers to select ingredients based on supply levels, and to produce a more economical product.

5. Beyond the legislation manufacturers operate consumer care lines, which will be able to assist with questions related to ingredients of specific products. The contact details are clearly labelled on the package.

6. It is widely recognised by the veterinary profession that pets are living longer, healthier lives as a result of the advances in pet nutrition and the increased feeding of prepared pet food.

Humane Society Distributing 50,000 Pounds Of Pet Food

People weren't the only ones affected by Hurricane Wilma. Pets are also in need of food and water. That's why the Humane Society of Broward County is offering a hand.

The Humane Society will be distributing 50,000 pounds of Purina pet food beginning Thursday at 10 a.m.

People looking to feed their cats and dogs can visit the Humane Society, 2101 N.W. 95th St., located just west of Interstate 95.

Humane Society representatives will also be distributing the food to mobile home parks as well.

Provimi Expands Eastern Pet Food Empire

Pet food manufacturer Provimi which has long held a leading position in Central and Eastern European countries, today announced the second of two major expansions in the past ten days making it now the largest premix pet food producer in both Hungary and Russia.

Today's acquisition of Russian premix company ZAO Rybflotprom from the Sodrugestvo Group follows hot on the heels of Provimi's purchase of Hungary's largest private label producer Pet Hungaria, at the end of October.

The Provimi European petfood business now has a network of 11 plants located in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech republic, with sales into almost all European countries. Elsewhere the Group has petfood activities in the Americas and India.

Provimi CEO Wim Troost said:

"This acquisition means a significant strengthening of our already leading position in the important Russian market. After the acquisition in October of Pet Hungaria, the number one private label pet food producer in Hungary, this is Provimi's second major acquisition in a short time. Both acquisitions are fully in line with our strategy of expanding in high margin categories and in the fast growing markets such as Central and Eastern Europe."

Earlier in the year Provimi took over Ben, a pet food producer in Poland.

More info about pet food, please visit UK Pets.