Tag: real pet food

  • Real Pet Food Pledges $1.3m For Safety Upgrades After Epa Directive Following Acid Spill Incident

    Real Pet Food Pledges $1.3m For Safety Upgrades After Epa Directive Following Acid Spill Incident

    Real Pet Food, also recognised as Australian Pet Brands, is set to expend over $1.3 million on safety improvements and equipment upgrades. This decision comes following a directive from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) after a phosphoric acid leakage incident at the company’s Dubbo location.

    Details of the Incident

    A defective valve is reportedly to blame for the spillage of around 300 litres of phosphoric acid within the production tower of the facility. The acid, a chemical agent used to extend the shelf-life of pet food, spread across several levels of the building. Emergency Hazmat crews were deployed to manage the clean-up operation.

    Company’s Response and Legal Obligations

    In response to the incident, the EPA accepted a legally binding Enforceable Undertaking (EU) from the company. As per this agreement, Real Pet Food is required to disburse over $1.38 million to implement preventive measures against such incidents in the future. Jason Gordon, EPA’s executive director of regulatory operations, emphasised the gravity of the incident, stating that while no environmental harm transpired, the risk potential was significant.

    Enforced Changes

    The impending changes, according to Gordon, will not only enhance safety for the site’s workers but also augment environmental protection by improving how chemicals are stored, monitored, and managed. The company is expected to move its acid dosing system from the top to the ground floor and automate previously manual systems, such as dosing products’ valve controls and holding tanks. Furthermore, it is required to bolster spill containment measures and enhance its training and inspection procedures.

    In addition, as part of its agreement with the EPA, the company will donate $75,000 to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre. The funds will be used to carry out repairs and improvements to the centre’s model wetland teaching space.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the changes that Real Pet Food needs to implement as per the agreement?
    The company is required to relocate its acid dosing system from the top to the ground floor, automate manual systems, strengthen spill containment measures and improve training and inspection procedures.

    What was the reason behind the phosphoric acid spill at the facility?
    A faulty valve was identified as the cause of the leakage of approximately 300 litres of phosphoric acid within the facility’s production tower.

    What will be the use of the $75,000 that the company will pay to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre?
    The funds will be utilised for repairs and enhancements to the centre’s model wetland teaching space.

  • Nectar of the dogs expands into Southeast Asia

    Nectar of the dogs expands into Southeast Asia

    Australian pet supplement brand Nectar Of The Dogs – which launched in the Australian market in 2021– is now expanding to meet the needs of overseas dog owners. Through a partnership with Asia Pet World, Nectar Of The Dogs is now available for online purchase and distribution globally, with pet owners in Singapore able to purchase the products in store.

    The partnership marks a dramatic milestone for the Sydney based start-up, which until now has been available to purchase only within Australia. Partnering with Asia Petworld means Nectar Of The Dogs can now reach the distributor’s network of over 500,000 households, and will be stocked on the shelves of Singpet Superstore – Singapore’s largest pet store.

    Partnering with natural health experts, veterinarians, food technologists and dog lovers, Nectar’s range of medicinal water supplements are made in Australia with high-quality, human-grade, plant-based ingredients. Nectar’s formulations are aimed to assist pet parents with the top health concerns for today’s dogs, including joints, immune system, calming the nervous system, and supporting skin health, gut and digestive system. The five products from Nectar’s range will be available to dog owners throughout Singapore.

    The growth of the brand represents rising demand for high quality, natural supplements for dogs, not just in the Australian market. Formulated in Australia by a team of food technologists and complementary health experts, Nectar Of The Dogs offers human grade, plant-based supplements that dogs find delicious.

    “We’re experts in supplements for dogs and people,” shares Nectar of the Dogs Founder, Gabriel Perera. “With Nectar, we’ve created a range of products that we wanted for our own dogs, with each ingredient painstakingly formulated to deliver maximum benefit, based on clinical evidence in dogs that tastes amazing.”

    More than just a healthy dog supplement brand, plant-based and Australian-made Nectar is better for the planet. All of Nectar’s formulas are carefully packaged in recyclable and compostable packaging, avoiding any single-use plastics.