TruthaboutPetFood.com

Mars Pet Care, manufacturer of Nutro, Pedigree, Whiskas, and numerous other dog and cat foods, announced they are closing three pet food manufacturing plants in Indiana, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania; the company has stated “reduced customer demand” for closing the three plants.  At the same time, Ohio plans to give Mars a 50% tax credit to enlarge a Columbus, Ohio pet food packaging facility. 

Mars Pet Care has suffered some serious salmonella problems, resulting in pet food recalls, at the Pennsylvania pet food plant in the last year.  Temporary closings of the PA Mars Pet Care plant didn’t seem to correct the salmonella concerns.  Late last year Mars announced they would be permanently closing the PA pet food manufacturing facility.  Although Mars Pet Care told Inside Indiana Business and WFMZ the numerous plant closings were due to “reduced customer demand”, we have to wonder if on-going salmonella concerns had any influence on Mars decision to close the plants.

The Indiana Mars Pet Care plant closing costs 51 people their jobs, the PA plant closing costs 44 jobs.  The State of Ohio, hoping to lure Mars to expand manufacturing in Columbus, is offering the pet food manufacturer a $25,000 grant and a 50% tax credit for seven years.  The possible Ohio pet food plant expansion would only provide 25 additional jobs.  http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=35488, http://wfmz.com/view/?id=887462, http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/05/04/daily8.html, http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/44608817.html

Twenty-five new jobs for Ohio, over 100 lost jobs for Indiana, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, and a seven year 50% tax credit for Mars.  Interesting.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter?
Receive future pet food articles and alerts delivered to your email box. Click Here to subscribe. Your privacy is guaranteed - your email address will not be sold or shared.

Does your pet’s food contain Chinese Ingredients?
Petsumer Report knows if Chinese Imports are used in over 1200 different cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. Subscribe to Petsumer Report - reporting imported or U.S. only, human quality or lesser grade, Shelf Life, and red flag pet food ingredients. 40+ new reviews added monthly. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.  http://www.PetsumerReport.com

Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter.  Twitter updates now on the TruthaboutPetFood.com homepage (scroll down below Blog listing on right).  To follow TAPF on Twitter...Under People Search, look for Susan Thixton or TAPF (Truth about Pet Food was too long for Twitter).  Instant pet food updates should an emergency occur.  www.Twitter.com/TAPF