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CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has named Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean of the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), as its 85th president, effective Sept. 1. He succeeds Sean Leighton, global vice president of food safety, quality and regulatory at Cargill, who completed his one-year term at IFT on Aug. 31.

Daubert is an IFT fellow and was previously chair of the organization’s Food Engineering division. He was also a “member-at-large” of North Carolina’s Dogwood section at the IFT, the organization said. Prior to joining the University of Missouri, Daubert spent more than two decades at North Carolina State University where he held several positions, including head of the Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences department and director of the Food Rheology Laboratory.

“IFT brings together all of my professional interests — educating excellent students; creating healthy, safe and sustainable food products; and advocating for the importance and impact of the field of food science,” Daubert said. “I am humbled and grateful to take over as president of such an outstanding organization, and I look forward to leading with energy, integrity, and excitement for IFT’s future.”

The IFT also named Peggy Poole, vice president of Bigelow Tea, as president-elect. She will begin her one-year term as IFT president on Sept. 1, 2025.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry. 

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS – A frozen yogurt manufacturer that first launched to create healthier dessert options for school menus, the company unveiled a full rebrand, completing its pivot to retail channels as Wild About Mixmi Froyo.

Formerly known as Mixmi Frozen Yogurt, the company debuted not only a new name, but also an upgraded formulation and reimagined packaging.

Owned by health-focused Rä Foods, Wild About Mixmi Froyo said it “cracked the code on making healthy irresistible,” creating a frozen dessert that uses 100% natural ingredients and contains neither GMOs nor artificial sweeteners.

The company said its frozen yogurt products are fermented, and enriched with probiotics in order to improve gut health, enhance digestion and strengthen immune function – supporting the entire microbiome. The products also contain prebiotic fiber.

“We’re not just making frozen yogurt; we’re revolutionizing how people think about treats by balancing health with taste,” said Susan Harlander, vice president of technology for Rä Foods. “Our products promote a healthy microbiome, making them essential for training immune cells, preventing infections and reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases.”

Wild About Mixmi Froyo also shared that extensive consumer and market testing helped it land on new packaging that reflects its products, which contain 90 calories per cup.

The frozen desserts – which are available in Mango Mania, Ultimate Chocolate, Totally Vanilla and Orange Dream flavors – come in boxes that contain four 4 oz cups.

“Our froyo is the ultimate treat parents can feel great about sharing with their families – and enjoy for themselves,” said Stephanie Browder, vice president of marketing at Rä Foods. “We aim to offer a sweet treat for those who seek out high-quality, health-conscious snacks that don’t compromise on great taste.”

STAMFORD, CONN. — The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is introducing a new membership opportunity aimed at pet product suppliers. The association’s new initiative is designed to connect the suppliers of pet product components, ingredients, packaging, live animal companions, business services and others with manufacturers in the industry.

In addition to providing these suppliers with industry resources, insights and networking opportunities, they will be invited to showcase their products and services in the Supplier Pavilion at Global Pet Expo, March 26 to 28, 2025 in Orlando.

“We’re more than just an association; we’re a community dedicated to helping our members thrive,” said Peter Scott, president and chief executive officer of APPA. “With our new supplier membership, we aim to bridge the gap between suppliers and manufacturers, creating an ecosystem that fosters growth and innovation across the pet industry.”

The new program offers three membership tiers — Basic, Premium and Elite. Benefits include:

• Access to industry insights: Members will have access to data and research on pet industry performance and trends.
• Networking and events: Members are invited to exhibit at Global Pet Expo and attend exclusive industry events, including The Pet Summit.
• Thought leadership: APPA will share regulatory updates, webinars, podcasts and whitepapers.
• Brand awareness and marketing: Members are invited to take advantage of exclusive discounts on digital marketing services and enhance brand visibility in the marketplace.

Source: Wales McLelland

“Whether you supply ingredients, packaging, manufacturing equipment, or offer business services like legal and marketing expertise, the APPA Supplier Membership offers a unique opportunity to expand your reach and build connections with the biggest names in the pet product industry,” Scott said.

For more information on this new program, click here.

Read more news from associations and agencies in the pet food sector. 

WESTLAKE, TEXAS — On Sept. 4, Virbac, an animal health company, announced its partnership with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) to help address the growing issue of pet obesity throughout the United States. Through their partnership, the organizations aim to tackle the root causes of pet obesity and create a healthier future for pets.

According to the APOP’s 2023 Pet Owner and Veterinary Professional Survey, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats were classified as overweight or obese in the United States, but only 17% of dog owners and 28% of cat owners acknowledge their pets were overweight. Sixty-three percent of dog parents and 45% of cat parents have tried to help their pet lose weight; however, only 16% of dog owners and 24% of cat owners have tried using therapeutic/prescription weight loss pet foods. 

The hormonal and metabolic changes pets undergo following spaying and neutering procedures is believed to play a role in pet obesity. While spaying and neutering can be beneficial to pet health, the procedures often result in a 30% decrease of basal metabolic rate and a 60% increase in appetite in pets. Pet owners are usually unaware of these changes and continue to feed their pets the same diet and portion sizes. According to the Pet Nutrition Alliance, dogs are twice as likely to become obese and cats are 3.4 times as likely to become obese following these procedures. 

With this in mind, APOP and Virbac will collaborate to create educational resources and tools for pet owners and veterinarians, detailing the importance of more tailored nutrition to help maintain pets’ metabolic health following spaying or neutering. The organizations believe that educating pet owners early in a pets’ life will help prevent pets from becoming overweight. 

“We are excited to welcome Virbac, as they will enhance our ability to address pet obesity through innovative nutrition solutions and providing vets with dietary interventions, tools and support,” said Ernie Ward, DVM, CVET, president and founder of APOP. “We are incredibly excited to work with Virbac’s global network of experts and innovators to help achieve our goals.”

Virbac offers 50 years of experience in animal health and more than three decades of expertise in developing functional pet foods and therapeutic formulas to address a variety of pet health issues. In fact, in 2022, the company released a line of pet foods — Veterinary HPM — specifically  formulated for spayed and neutered dogs and cats.

“Our collaboration with APOP underscores Virbac’s commitment to positively changing the landscape on improving the health and wellbeing of pets through targeted interventions,” said Fabrice Payot, DVM, vice president of new business at Virbac. “It’s so important for veterinarians and their clients to understand the root cause of obesity and how metabolic changes occur after the pet has been spayed or neutered trigger weight gain. We can help make a difference by tailoring their diet to one that is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates. We are also passionate about educating pet owners so they can make informed decisions.”

Stay up to date on the latest pet food processing industry headlines on our News page. 

LEUVEN, BELGIUM — EIT Food and Mars Petcare have partnered to launch an Open Innovation Challenge, which seeks to identify innovative solutions to transform fiber into protein and sugar. The goal of this is to work with organizations to develop more sustainable pet food ingredients. 

This initiative aims to transform byproducts from agricultural processing — such as straw from crop harvesting or waste from peeling and chopping vegetables — into ingredients of nutritional value for pet food by improving ingredient digestibility.

“Agricultural byproducts often comprise of high-quality proteins but come with high levels of insoluble fibers that limit usage in pet food due to being difficult for pets to digest,” said Benoit Buntnix, director of business creation at EIT Food. “Transforming the insoluble fiber fractions into materials that can be effectively digested in the gut of a dog or cat would allow the usage of what would otherwise be a waste material as a valuable and more sustainable option for pet food.”

The challenge provides an opportunity for organizations in the pet food industry to work with the two companies, creating the potential to scale innovations rapidly.

“This Open Innovation Challenge with EIT Food represents a significant step forward in our mission to drive more sustainable food solutions for pets,” said Michael Horan, global S&T platform leader material science at Mars Petcare. “We believe that we have a lot to offer when it comes to open innovation approaches and are excited to tap into this using the ecosystem and know-how of EIT Food.”

Applications are open until Sept. 22 for startups, academia, research institutes or established organizations. Register for the Open Innovation Challenge here.

Stay up to date on the latest pet food processing industry headlines on our News page. 

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Pasture-raised food manufacturer Vital Farms introduced Reena Van Hoven as the company’s new chief people officer, effective Sept. 16.

Van Hoven most recently served as senior vice president of talent and rewards for Danone North America. 

Vital Farms said Van Hoven will lead the company’s people team in the newly created CPO role, overseeing business partnerships, organization and people development, and total rewards.

President and chief executive officer Russell Diez-Canseco said Van Hoven will build on a foundation established by Vital Farms’ people team.

“We believe our true competitive advantage is our people, and deepening our investment in this function will help us scale our high-performing organization and purpose-driven culture,” Diez-Canseco said. “Reena’s deep expertise and passion for people will continue to strengthen our work engaging, inspiring and developing our crew members, and attracting world-class talent.”

During close to two decades in human resources, Van Hoven’s experience includes roles with Danone North America, organic salad producer Earthbound Farms, WhiteWave Foods and Deloitte.

Van Hoven described Vital Farms as a purpose-driven food company that “improves the lives of people, animals and the planet” through its work.

“Vital Farms not only embodies its mission and values, but also fosters an environment where talent can thrive, make a significant impact, and grow both personally and professionally,” she said.

Diez-Canseco also noted that senior vice president of people and strategy Stephanie Coon will remain on Vital Farms’ senior leadership team as senior vice president of strategy.

“Stephanie has played an instrumental role in evolving Vital Farms’ people team into the high-impact function it is today,” the CEO said. “In addition to welcoming an incredible leader in Reena, this move enables Stephanie to put even more focus on the critical strategy work ahead as we build Vital Farms into a $1B company and a disruptive force in the food industry.”

10 – Mars ready to offer much more than chocolate, candy

In one big transaction, Mars Inc. is set to transform its candy-based snack business into a diverse portfolio anchored in grain-based baked foods through its planned acquisition of Kellanova.  

9 – FDA mandates labeling for added sugar

Mandatory front-of-pack labeling rules for added sugars, expected from the Food and Drug Administration in October (originally expected in June), are just the beginning of government efforts to reduce sugar consumption and prompt product reformulation away from sugar.

8 – Dairy products trending in social media spotlight

When it comes to food-centric videos on social media platforms, the sky is the limit. Some of these videos have racked up more than 4 billion views, bringing attention to every meal of the day, from breakfast to dinner, midnight snacks and everything in between.

7 – Private label brands gain momentum with consumers

Consumer packaged goods companies sizing up private label competition need only look at the nation’s largest retailers to see how the brands have become a food shopping staple, new research from Numerator shows.

6 – Laughing Cow formulates first limited-time flavor

The Laughing Cow’s snack-sized spreadable cheese wedges have a new twist. The Bel Brands USA snack brand revealed its debut limited-edition product, a new Everything Bagel Style flavor.

5 – DMI establishes dairy research hub

The dairy checkoff developed a site dedicated to product innovation with the help of the Dairy Management Inc. dairy products research and development team. DMI said the hub supports those who innovate with dairy to make products that “drive sales and trust across the industry.”

4 – Product mashups create consumer intrigue

The wave of co-branded, cross-category products hitting the food and beverage market in recent years has continued to surge, and consumer packaged goods industry observers don’t expect the trend to crest anytime soon.

3 – Sargento makes various leadership promotions

Cheese manufacturer Sargento announced several leadership promotions in its consumer products, and foodservice and ingredients business units.

2 – Idaho Milk Products to add facility for ice cream

Milk protein supplier and dairy processor Idaho Milk Products revealed it plans to enter the ice cream market as part of “a significant broadening of its business,” highlighted by a new $200 million dual ice cream and powder blending facility.

1 – Yogurt leads Danone’s growth in North America

Effective pricing and volume/mix gains carried Danone SA to an earnings increase of 11.5% in the first half of the fiscal year, which saw headwinds in foreign exchange and the effects of deconsolidating its Essential Dairy and Plant-based business in Russia.

KIELER, WIS. — A Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) spokesperson confirmed that the sanitation company would be opening an office in Atlanta to expand its presence in the Southeast.

“Atlanta is not only home to many universities and leading research centers in sanitation science but is also a reliable and robust travel hub — offering more opportunities for us to interact with our customers and team members across the country,” said PSSI spokesperson Gina Swenson.

The company stated that the expanded footprint to Atlanta will shift several job functions based in Wisconsin to the new office at the end of 2024.

“The Kieler-based chemical plant [in Wisconsin] will continue to operate, while some corporate duties will be shifted to the Atlanta office,” Swenson said. “The transition will present no disruption to our customers.”

Several changes were recently made to PSSI’s business.

During March 2024, PSSI filed a WARN notice that the company would lay off 175 people working at the JBS USA meat processing plant in Greeley, Colo.

The company also filed a WARN notice in the same month to lay off 76 employees at the Tyson facility in Perry, Iowa, which was scheduled to close its doors.

In April 2023, Cargill announced it would terminate its contracts with PSSI following an investigation by the Department of Labor that accused PSSI of child labor violations.

PSSI was also issued a $1.5 million fine after the DOL claimed that at least 102 workers from 13 to 17 years of age were employed to clean meatpacking plants.

Later in the year, PSSI hired Diego Alvarez to the new position of chief compliance officer.

ARLINGTON, VA. — Aligning consistent data and assessing the environmental benefits of innovation across the feed industry were among the goals covered with the release of new Sustainability Road Map project materials by the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER).

Representing US and Canadian industry members and stakeholders, these resources, developed in collaboration with the Context Network and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC), include findings from a comprehensive assessment of industry sustainability practices and a literature database of the impact of novel feed ingredients on animal performance.

“These resources are designed to address the need for efficient and effective tools for measuring, reporting and verifying sustainability efforts,” said Lara Moody, executive director of IFEEDER. “By engaging our animal food customers and considering how we can help them achieve their environmental footprint goals, we will be better equipped to make informed decisions and meet their sustainability objectives.”

During the second phase of the Sustainability Road Map project, IFEEDER, ANAC and the Context Network collaborated with partners across the animal food industry to achieve several objectives. 

One objective included aligning and ensuring industrywide consistency in how data is measured, reported and verified across indicators and metrics important to the industry and its customers. The project also sought to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of life cycle assessments (LCAs) to support the industry and its customers in their sustainability efforts. 

The project also focused on assessing and considering the environmental benefits of innovations in areas such as animal food ration development, ingredients and additives to help stakeholders meet corporate sustainability commitments. 

The first phase of the Sustainability Road Map initiative laid the groundwork by defining “sustainability” for the animal food industry and creating the Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit, a resource for animal food industry companies establishing or advancing internal sustainability programs. The insights gained during this phase identified several critical knowledge and data gaps, which the new materials aim to address. 

As part of phase two of the Sustainability Road Map project, the following resources have been added to the toolkit:

• Results of a matrix assessment, documenting common themes among the metrics tracked throughout the animal agriculture industry. 
• Insights from interviews with allied organizations on current data collection and information management practices.
• A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of current sustainability practices within the North American animal food industry.
• Findings from a literature review and a comprehensive database, which assess animal performance metrics relative to environmental footprint reduction benefits.

IFEEDER also recently added an additional toolkit resource that defines 16 issue areas material to the animal food industry sustainability, providing industry examples and tangible benefits. 

The complete toolkit is available for free to American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) members and IFEEDER donors on IFEEDER’s website and ANAC members on ANAC’s website. It is also available for purchase to nonmembers for $995 in AFIA’s Online Store. 

The Sustainability Road Map Advisory Committee and project funders included ANAC; APC LLC; Arm & Hammer; Balchem; BASF Corp.; Bayer Crop Science; Berg+Schmidt America, LLC; CHS Inc.; Chr. Hansen; CJ Bio; Darling Ingredients; DSM; Furst-McNess Company; Hill’s Pet Nutrition; ICM Biofuels, LLC; ILC Resources; Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health; Mosaic; Novus; Syngenta; US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef: The Wenger Group; Western Milling; and Zinpro.

Founded in 2009 by the AFIA, IFEEDER supports education and research initiatives in the animal food industry that ensure access to a safe, healthy and sustainable food supply.

Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.  

This article was published in the July 2024 issue of Pet Food Processing. Read it and other articles from this issue in our July digital edition.  

The US animal food industry remains a robust player on the global stage, backed by strategic initiatives and proactive measures to ensure its continued success and resilience. In 2023, this industry exported a remarkable $13.4 billion in feed, feed ingredients and pet food, equating to 19.8 million metric tons in total volume. Pet food alone accounted for $2.4 billion of these exports. 

The industry’s strength is bolstered by its commitment to quality, safety and innovation, which drives its competitive edge in international markets. US pet food manufacturers prioritize high standards in sourcing ingredients, maintaining stringent production processes, and adhering to regulatory requirements. Furthermore, strategic partnerships and trade agreements play a pivotal role in expanding market access and facilitating smoother trade flows. 

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), which represents the total animal feed and pet food industry, is engaged in several initiatives this year aimed at expanding market access abroad for US pet food exporters and ensuring a stable supply chain for the future.

Market Access Programs 

Under the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP), the AFIA has been working to expand US pet food exports, with targeted efforts in Vietnam. Leveraging MAP resources, the AFIA is collaborating with the Vietnamese Small Animal Veterinary Association (VSAVA) to support veterinary clinics in Vietnam, increasing awareness among dog and cat owners about the critical roles veterinarians and proper animal nutrition play in ensuring the wellbeing and longevity of pets.

Later this year, the AFIA and VSAVA will launch a “Pet Health Month” program uniquely targeting veterinarians, veterinary students and pet owners, when the associations will emphasize the importance of nutritious and complete pet foods in a market where many pets are still primarily fed table scraps. This initiative will be a groundbreaking effort in Vietnam, highlighting the essential connection between improved diets and pet health.

“Expanding Vietnamese pet food production can make pet food more affordable and available to Vietnamese pet owners,” wrote Gina Tumbarello of the American Feed Industry Association.

Recognizing that pet food is considered a luxury good and quite costly for many Vietnamese pet owners, the AFIA has also secured additional USDA funding through the Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to assess how US pet food ingredient manufacturers and suppliers might tap into the Vietnamese pet food market and support the expansion of its domestic pet food production. Expanding Vietnamese pet food production can make pet food more affordable and available to Vietnamese pet owners. This approach, combined with efforts to promote pet nutrition, health and the benefits of complete pet diets, could support a significant increase in the overall demand for pet food in Vietnam. 

The US animal food industry utilizes MAP and EMP funding, which, once again, is being debated under the Farm Bill this year. These programs have not seen funding increases since 2006, yet are instrumental in promoting animal food exports, particularly in key markets like Vietnam and China, especially since no new trade agreements are currently being discussed. A key policy priority for the AFIA is increasing funding for the MAP and EMP programs, as well as other market development programs, under the Farm Bill to promote the continued expansion of US agricultural exports, including pet food, particularly in emerging markets like Vietnam.

Supply chain resiliency

Recognizing the importance of securing vital inputs for feed and pet food production, such as vitamins and amino acids, the AFIA has been proactively working with the federal government to address potential supply chain vulnerabilities. 

“An estimated 78% of total vitamin imports to the United States are from China, creating an overwhelming dependency on this single country for its vitamin needs,” wrote Gina Tumbarello of the American Feed Industry Association.

As an example, an estimated 78% of total vitamin imports to the United States are from China, creating an overwhelming dependency on this single country for its vitamin needs, a concern underscored by the lack of feasible alternative sources for these essential nutrients. Where alternative suppliers exist, they simply cannot match China’s vast production capabilities or scale. China holds a commanding position in global vitamin production, reportedly exclusively manufacturing key vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, biotin, inositol, salicylic acid, cobalamin, cholecalciferol and K. This dependency poses significant risks, as demonstrated by the recent trends in the amino acids market, which follow a similar pattern to what has been observed with vitamins. According to some analyses, the US dependency on Chinese production now accounts for over 62% of the global capacity for amino acids, including 76% for lysine and 91% for threonine.

It goes without saying that pets need vitamins to support their wellbeing. Thiamine (B1) regulates energy and carbohydrate metabolism, while vitamin D facilitates the balance of minerals, like phosphorus and calcium, for robust bone growth, essential for maintaining strong muscles and bones. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage, further promoting pet health and vitality. 

In addition, pets require amino acids in their diets to maintain healthy and active lifestyles. There are more than 20 amino acids necessary for pets, with 10 deemed “essential,” meaning they must be provided through the diet, since pets cannot produce them internally. It is crucial that pets consume amino acids in the correct amounts daily to support immune function, brain function, metabolism regulation, stamina and weight maintenance. 

Should a shortage of vitamins and amino acids occur, reformulating pet food diets is not a viable solution due to regulatory requirements that mandate pet food must provide complete and balanced nutrition. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes nutrient profiles that set the minimum and sometimes maximum levels of vitamins and other nutrients necessary for pet foods to be labeled as “complete and balanced.” These profiles are based on scientific research and are designed to meet the dietary needs of pets at different life stages. Also, the Food and Drug Association requires that any pet food claiming to be “complete and balanced” meet AAFCO nutrient profiles.

While this is just one example of a potential supply chain challenge, there may be other instances where overwhelming reliance on a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers for vital inputs could create a precarious situation should geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, natural disasters or other unforeseen events in the supplier country occur. Diversifying supply sources is crucial to mitigating these risks, ensuring a more stable and resilient supply chain. Without feasible alternatives, the animal food industry could become susceptible to fluctuations in supply and pricing, potentially jeopardizing pet health, livestock and poultry health and production, and food security for our nation. 

These points underscore the need for strategic planning and investment in diversifying supply chains to enhance sustainability and reduce dependence on any single supplier. To ensure the resilience of both the US animal food and farm sectors, the AFIA is urging US policymakers to adopt a multi-faceted approach, balancing economic interests with broader strategic considerations to diversify and secure our vitamin and amino acid supply chains. 

Looking ahead

As the US pet food industry continues to flourish on the global stage, it faces myriad challenges and dependencies that require careful navigation and proactive solutions. Industry stakeholders are actively engaged in promoting US animal food exports and expanding market opportunities. 

The AFIA is committed to enhancing supply chain resilience and advocating for strategic initiatives geared toward improving pet nutrition and fortifying supply chain resiliency against potential shocks. By fostering partnerships around the world, embracing innovation and actively participating in policy and regulatory discussions, the AFIA and its counterparts are laying the groundwork for a resilient and thriving US pet food industry.

Find more articles related to pet food export opportunities and trade.