In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was investigating cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in breeds not typically associated with the disease, and that many of the dogs had been fed grain-free pet foods high in pulses, legumes or potatoes. Is there really a link between those ingredients or these pet food formulations and the cases of DCM? This panel will provide the latest updates on the FDA and other investigations, and discuss any lessons learned and insights for the industry going forward.

Panel members include:

Jennifer Adolphe, RD, Ph.D., nutrition manager for Petcurean Pet Nutrition

Moderator Greg Aldrich, Ph.D., research associate professor at Kansas State University and president of Pet Food Ingredients & Technology

Chris Marinangeli, Ph.D., director of nutrition, scientific and regulatory affairs, at Pulse Canada

Anna Kate Shoveller, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph

Panelist bios:

Adolphe graduated with her doctorate in companion animal nutrition from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. She has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is a registered dietitian. Adolphe is the recipient of over 20 awards and scholarships for her academic work and has numerous peer-reviewed publications. Her work in the pet food industry has focused on product development, ingredient procurement and nutrition education for consumers. She is currently the nutrition manager at Petcurean Pet Nutrition, a Canadian company committed to offering superior quality pet foods.

Aldrich is a research associate professor and coordinator for the pet food program at Kansas State University, is president of Pet Food Ingredients & Technology and is an independent nutritionist specializing in foods, ingredients and nutrition for companion animals. He writes a monthly column for Petfood Industry on ingredients. Aldrich earned his doctorate in nutrition from the University of Illinois, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri and bachelor’s degree from Kansas State. He has held management and technical positions with Co-op Feeds, the Iams Co., Kemin Industries Inc. and Menu Foods Ltd. He is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, American Society for Nutrition and American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition.

Marinangeli bio coming soon.

Shoveller received her doctorate in nutrition and metabolism at the University of Alberta in 2004 and is currently an associate professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph. From 2007-2015 she was employed by Procter & Gamble and Mars Pet Care where she investigated energy metabolism and nutrient budgets of dogs and cats using indirect calorimetry and applying the indicator amino acid oxidation technique to quantify amino acids requirements of adult dogs. Shoveller has taken this experience and returned to academia where she teaches companion animal and equine nutrition and runs an active comparative nutrition research group. Overall, Shoveller’s laboratory focuses on optimizing nutrition across mammalian species for health and longevity without compromising the future of our food chain. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers, contributed to multiple book chapters, applied for multiple patents, and has gained over $1.5 million within 3 years of her appointment. Shoveller is an active member of the Companion Animal section of the American Society of Animal Science and a board member of the Canadian Society of Animal Science.