PET Food Processing - October 2019 - 45

ASSOCIATIONS

Pet Food

INSTITUTE
Advocating for processors on food safety, compliance and trade.
agenda to represent pet food manufacturers, funding
the CVM means expediting the tedious process of approving new ingredients for use in feed and pet food,
which is important to PFI and its members.
PFI has been at the forefront of many lobbying efforts
with the other agricultural trade organizations, most
recently urging Congress to ratify the United StatesMexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to stimulate pet
food exports throughout North America. Another example of the organization's ongoing involvement with
the pet food and related industries is its partnership
with the National Renderers Association to co-fund
two university research projects on the surveillance and
mitigation of  Salmonella  in rendered products via the
Fats and Proteins Research Foundation. The organization also supports pet health and industry-wide transparency for pet food and treat consumers, as the organization reaches two-thirds of pet-owning households in
the US, which, includes policy-makers and regulators.
One of PFI's main events is the Feed and Pet Food
Joint Conference, which it hosts annually with the
National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA). The
event features key topics in food safety, such as FSMA,
as well as the ingredient sector, the role of information
technology in transforming supply chain management,
regulatory updates and trade issues.

FAST FACTS

S

Safety is always top-of-mind for Pet Food Institute
(PFI), a pet food and treat industry organization that
advocates for US manufacturers in Washington D.C.
and across the country on the bases of food safety, pet
nutrition and regulatory compliance.
PFI currently represents 25 producer members. To
qualify for membership, a pet food or treat business
must be compliant with Association of American Feed
Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, exhibit up-todate Good Manufacturing Practices, and have at least
one processing facility located in the US. Member companies are encouraged to participate in committees,
such as the Product Safety Subcommittee, which fosters
research and sharing best practices and breakthroughs
in support of pet food and treat safety.
The PFI team is comprised of versatile professionals from all over the agricultural sector. For example,
President and CEO Dana Brooks previously worked
for Land O' Lakes as senior director of government
relations. Employees of the organization work with
policymakers in the US and abroad to advocate for safe,
science-based solutions to pet health issues, as well as
ongoing international trade. The organization has become increasingly involved with national, consumer
and trade media agendas as the pet food and treat market continues to grow.  
Over the last 10 years, PFI's regulatory agenda has
been largely centered around the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a "prevention-focused safety
approach" to food production, including stringent
requirements for animal food safety. In addition,
PFI supports funding for the US Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) training and education initiatives for state-run agencies and inspectors.
The organization also advocates for funding for the
FDA's animal food and health committees, including its
Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). As part of its

"Pet food and
treat safety is
the number one
goal for Pet
Food Institute,
and much of our
work is guided
by the principle
of how we can
promote the
production of
safe pet food
and sound
policies."
Dana Brooks, president
and CEO, Pet Food Institute

Founded: 1958
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Events: Annual Feed and Pet Food
Joint Conference with National Grain
and Feed Association
Website: www.petfoodinstitute.org

www.petfoodprocessing.net | 2019 | PET FOOD PROCESSING

45
http://www.petfoodinstitute.org http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
PET Food Processing - October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PET Food Processing - October 2019
