Pet Food Processing - September 2024 - 67

pet food
INSTITUTE
F
For more than 60 years, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has
been the voice of US pet food producers. PFI helps support
the production of nutritious pet food by promoting
pet food safety and innovation, advocating for legislation
and regulations, educating dog and cat owners on
their pet's nutrition, care and wellbeing, and communicating
the benefits of pet ownership.
PFI members include pet food and treat producers,
as well as companies who support the production,
marketing and distribution of dog and cat food and
treats in the United States. Member companies operate
manufacturing facilities in 35 states and employ more
than 35,000 people.
Pet food advocacy is at the forefront of the PFI's
mission.
" PFI's government relations team covers federal and
state legislative and regulatory issues that impact pet
food makers, " PFI said. " We advocate for a fair, sciencebased
regulatory environment and best practices that
mutually benefit the pets we love, pet owners and the pet
industry. "
Policy priorities include pet food safety, labeling and
regulations, international market access, global trade
and sustainability.
Since 1993, PFI has engaged in export promotion
through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Market Access Program (MAP), which supports global
promotion of US agricultural goods. This grant program
requires matching funds from both executing organizations
and the industry.
On Jan. 11, PFI announced it was awarded more
than $1.3 million in MAP funding for 2024, which
was to be used to promote the benefits of US-made
pet food to consumers in 10 specific markets: Brazil,
the Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia,
www.petfoodprocessing.net | September 2024 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 67
Advocating and educating on behalf of pet food and treat producers.
Mexico, the Middle East, the Philippines, South Korea
and Taiwan.
According to PFI, research has shown that for each
dollar invested in an export market through MAP, US
agricultural exports have increased by more than $24.
" The allocation of these funds to PFI is not just a win
for the pet food industry, it is a win for the US agricultural
industry, " said Nat Davies, vice president of business
operations and programs at the PFI, at the time of
the announcement.
The PFI recently launched its redesigned website in an
effort to better provide accurate and trustworthy information
to meet pet parents' needs. The agency's goal is
to be a primary resource for pet owners to go to for dog
and cat nutrition and wellness advice.
" Pet owners need a safe place to find evidence-based
nutrition information to make educated decisions on everything
from what to feed their pets to how to protect
them from the summer heat, " said Kelly Kanaras, director
of communications and membership for PFI.
The new website includes a more modern look
and user-friendly interface. It contains information
on how pet food is regulated, the importance of
complete-and-balanced nutrition, and significance of
vitamins and minerals in diets. The site also features
Vet Talks videos designed to inform pet owners on ingredients,
choosing pet food, the dangers of pets being
overweight, and more.
CONTACT PFI
2530 Junction Place,
Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
(203) 993-0977
admin@petsustainability.org
www.petsustainability.org
http://www.petsustainability.org http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - September 2024

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