The Honest Kitchen - pet food with a passion

Producer of dehydrated whole foods for pets formalizes and tightens up requirements for its raw ingredient partners, to raise the bar on pet food safety.

San Diego, Calif. (January 26, 2011) The Honest Kitchen today announced the implementation of a proactive new system of Vendor Pledges, which all suppliers will be required to complete and sign, prior to providing raw ingredients into the company’s human food grade production facility.

The Honest Kitchen has been working with many of the same suppliers since 2002 when it was founded, and has since that time enforced a set of standards (such as all ingredients being 100% human edible and non genetically modified) that those suppliers have been required to adhere to.

However, this year the company has decided to raise the bar with formalized, signed pledges – statements that attest to the stringent quality control standards they follow in the farming, harvesting and production of the meats, grains and produce they supply. A pledge will be required for each individual ingredient, meaning that some suppliers have submitted five or more signed pledges to the company.

The Vendor Pledges require formal declaration from suppliers of each of the pet food ingredients supplied to The Honest Kitchen, on various criteria, including:

• Human edible status from harvesting and throughout all handling, screening & cleaning
• Statement of Country of Origin
• Adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s)
• Not genetically modified or subject to engineered recombinant DNA technology
• Verification that it is free of chemicals or adulterants
• Post-harvest handling: verification that it is free of chemical preservatives such as Ethoxyquin
• Sustainability and fair-trade attributes where applicable
• Verification of screening for contaminants such as salmonella, e-Coli, Coliform, lead, arsenic, mercury and melamine, in accordance with human food safety standards
• A promise that the ingredient does not originate from China

“We’re excited to implement this important new step into our overarching pet food quality-control program,” stated Lucy Postins, the company’s Founder and President. “We’ve always placed the highest priority on ingredient quality and integrity and have frequently dismissed vendors from even bidding on ingredient prices because we haven’t been happy with a particular aspect of their operations – so it makes total sense to put these pledges in place, not only for our own peace of mind but for our customers, too. Good whole food ingredients that are human-edible do cost more but pets are our priority.”

The Honest Kitchen is committed to taking a proactive stance on the safety and integrity of its ingredients and finished products. The company is a member of Green America, which has screened each of its suppliers for environmental integrity.

The new Vendor Pledges went into force this month and will be renewable annually. An official representative from any new vendors that commence supplying the company in the future will also be required to complete and sign.

The Honest Kitchen’s contracted production facility is registered and inspected by the FDA and already conforms to the new HACCP food safety regulations and established Good Manufacturing Practices.

About The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen is a company of pet lovers, with a passion for food. They produce a line of holistic dehydrated, human-grade, whole foods for pets. Founded by Lucy and Charlie Postins in 2002, The Honest Kitchen provides all-natural products that promote nutritional awareness, environmental responsibility, and a sustainable community. All of their foods are produced in a human food plant (not in a pet food factory) and their products are packaged in artistic, eco-friendly and bio-degradable boxes. For more information, please visit www.TheHonestKitchen.com.

The Honest Kitchen makes a splash with Zeal, a grain-free, fish recipe for dogs.

All-natural, Holistic Pet Food Company Unveils Fish Recipe for Sensitive Dogs

San Diego, Calif. (September 28, 2010) – The Honest Kitchen, makers of all-natural, human-grade pet products, today announced the release of Zeal, a grain-free, fish diet for dogs. Zeal complements The Honest Kitchen’s pet foods as its first fish based recipe. The use of a unique protein, such as fish, and eliminating grains, white potatoes and flaxseed makes this a high quality, minimally processed pet food ideal for sensitive dogs.

“Zeal was truly inspired by our customers,” said Lucy Postins, founder and CEO, “For years, pet owners have told us that their dogs have allergies or intolerances to conventional meat sources, and we’re pleased that we can now offer this high-quality, human-grade recipe with minimal risk of allergies.”

The benefits of The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated pet food, like Zeal, are minimally processed ingredients and zero artificial preservatives. Dehydration is a gentle method of preservation and removes only the water from raw, whole foods, leaving almost all other nutrients intact. Meats are dried at high enough temperatures to kill all pathogenic bacteria, such as E. Coli and Salmonella. Consumers simply add warm water to rehydrate, and serve.

Like all Honest Kitchen products, Zeal is 100% human-grade, sourcing ingredients from the human food chain and manufacturing in an FDA human food facility. The use of human-grade fish fillets means that there is no ethoxyquin, which can be found in feed-quality fish meal, sometimes used in other fish-based pet foods.

Zeal is a complete and balanced recipe appropriate for adult dogs. Zeal contains: Dehydrated White fish (Wild, Line-caught Haddock, Wild Whiting), Sweet Potatoes, Eggs, Organic Coconut, Alfalfa, Apples, Green Beans, Parsley, Cabbage, Bananas, Wild Salmon, Cranberries, Rosemary, Vitamins and Minerals.

Zeal uses three fish to add a variety of nutrients, and also as a sustainability measure. Using two white fish (wild, line-caught Haddock and wild-caught Whiting) makes less impact on marine eco-systems and allows the flexibility to adjust ratios depending on catch and environmental challenges. The Honest Kitchen will also donate a portion of the profits from Zeal to several marine conservation initiatives.

Zeal is available for an introductory price of $108.00 for 10 pounds (which rehydrates to 43 pounds) and $52.00 for 4 pounds (which rehydrates to 17 pounds). Zeal will be available for purchase online at thehonestkitchen.com and at almost 2000 resellers in the U.S.

We are proud to be lead sponsors for this fun project!  Our CEO is in a photo at the back! You can order the calendar by emailing mashvet@verizon.net ahead of the web site launch.

Integrative Veterinarians Unveil for a Cause

Hopkinton, Mass, (November 1^st, 2010) Dr. Margo Roman, DVM., announced today the launch of a  calendar, which features fourteen integrative veterinarians undressed and posing in series of tasteful & humorous nude photographs. The photographs are combined with detailed health information of a variety of holistic modalities, to educate animal guardians on the options available for their pets.  100% of the proceeds from which, will be donated to non-profit organizations.

The calendar project idea was conceived to celebrate the benefits of holistic and integrative veterinary medicine to the public, as well as raise funding for veterinary students to broaden their knowledge of important holistic modalities. The proceeds will provide veterinary student scholarships and support the Center For Integrative Veterinary Care, a 501(c)3 dedicated to education.

“We’re very excited about this calendar,” stated Dr Roman, who also appears in one of the beautifully shot photographs. “To be able to educate both the public and the veterinary profession about all the options of integrative medicine is the goal of the Dr.ShowMore Calendar. Both artistic and humorous, this calendar will reach out and uncover ways to help caretakers, so their animals can become and stay healthy.  Raising funds for student scholarship and the Dr.DoMore documentary will continue the outreach for education.”

Veterinarians who are posing for the calendar include Dr Kim Henneman, Dr Sue Armstrong and Dr Rob Silver. All the participating veterinarians specialize in integrative modalities for companion animals and are very well known in their fields, speaking at conferences and pioneering integrative approaches to animal health.

A group of like-minded companies who work closely with the integrative veterinary community, are helping to fund the project. They lead sponsors, The Honest Kitchen (dehydrated human grade foods) and Oma’s Pride (frozen raw foods) are also showing their support with nude photographs for the project.

For a calendar preview and ordering information, visit http://mashvet.com/news/dr-showmore

Green, Natural and Organic Products…Oh My!
Backer Panel Separates Marketing Hype from Tangible Benefits

TAMPA, Fla. — Green is in! But when it comes to knowing the differences between organic, natural and conventional products, pet retailers are often as confused as their customers. At the HH Backer Christmas Show in Chicago October 8-10, key representatives from regulatory agencies, industry leading manufacturers and experts including Green Dog Naturals, The Honest Kitchen, Quality Assurance International (QAI), Wagatha’s Dog Biscuits and Animals’ Apawthecary Co. will come together for a panel discussion to cut through the clutter and teach how to make your business truly green. The panel titled, “Going Green: What You Need to Know About Selling Natural and Organic Products” will be moderated by pet lifestyle expert Kristen Levine.

The introduction of natural and organic products has integrated and changed nearly every category in the pet retail industry. However many retailers and pet owners alike are confused by the extensive variety of products, jargon and manufacturer claims.

The panel is slated for noon on Saturday, October 9 in room 45 and attendees will enjoy a complimentary luncheon. Anyone interested in attending can register by emailing hello@fetchingcommunications.com.

About the Panelists

• With over 20 years of experience in the natural products channel, including product development, Tom O’Leary is the Canine Wellness Advocate for Green Dog Naturals by Rainbow Light. Green Dog Naturals manufactures human grade, organic whole food supplements for dogs in the USA in its own certified organic manufacturing facility. Organic ingredients are certified by QAI. Green Dog Naturals is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), and Rainbow Light is a member of the American Botanical Council, the American Herbalists Guild, the Natural Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, and the American Herbal Products Association.

• As general manager of Quality Assurance International (QAI), Jaclyn Bowen is responsible for the operation and expansion of QAI’s certification programs and business operations, both domestic and abroad. This includes implementing new business initiatives while verifying compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) and other organic regulations. Prior to QAI Bowen worked at NSF International, QAI’s parent company, overseeing the development and review of American National Standards on sustainability and leading the initial grassroots effort on the development of the NSF/ANSI 305 – Contains Organic Ingredients Personal Care standard. Bowen has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Public Health in Management and Policy from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Quality from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from Michigan State University.

• Drawing on over 25 years of food industry experience, Norman Levitz, founder and president of Wagatha’s, previously found success in the hospitality industry through extensive experience in restaurants, large scale catering, commercial baking and being a culinary educator at Johnson & Wales University. His entrepreneurial spirit turned his passion for food toward his four legged canine friends. Thirty years of practice and recipe testing coupled with the singular belief that feeding organic was the right path to stay on, helped to firmly plant Wagatha’s in the homes of dog lovers everywhere. Their biscuits are made from only certified organic, human quality ingredients in a licensed human grade facility. Levitz is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has served as president of the Vermont American Culinary Federation and has spent many years cultivating “Farm to Table” relationships, which are an integral part of his food philosophy (for both people and pets).

• Lucy Postins is founder and president of The Honest Kitchen. Postins is an innovative entrepreneur who is passionate about advanced nutrition and holistic health including complementary modalities such as herbalism and homeopathy. Prior to founding The Honest Kitchen in 2002, Postins served as the equine and canine nutritionist for a Southern California pet food manufacturer and led the company’s marketing and product development initiatives as well. In 2006, Postins was recognized by Petfood Industry Magazine as one of the “25 people to watch” for her efforts in creating a sound, flourishing young company with innovative products and strong, widely respected marketing initiatives. Postins holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Equine and Business Studies from Moreton Morrell College of Agriculture in Warwickshire, England.

• Greg Tilford is a well-known expert, author, consultant and teacher in the field of veterinary botanical medicine. He is CEO and formulating herbalist for Animals’ Apawthecary Co. and Animal Essentials Inc., which provide a full line of natural supplements for companion animals. He is a charter member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Animal Supplements Council (NASC) and he also chairs the Animal Products Committee for the American Herbal Products Association. In addition, he serves on Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products and is an honorary advisor to the Japan Animal Wellness Association, a new educational institution which will be the first of its kind to train international audiences of pet care professionals in the sciences and philosophies of natural veterinary medicines. Tilford has authored dozens of published articles and five books, including the acclaimed All You Ever Wanted to Know about Herbs for Pets (Bowtie/Fancy Publications, second ed. 2009).

About Fetching Communications: Fetching Communications, founded in Tampa, FL in 2003, is a full service marketing agency with specialties in public relations and social media outreach. Fetching focuses exclusively on veterinary, pet and animal-oriented products and services. Now representing more than 20 companies and organizations stretching from the United States to Australia, Fetching Communications has entrenched itself as a leading agency for the $47.7 billion annual pet product and pet supply industry.