Press Releases

Nylabone® Goes Organic

Nylabone® Goes Organic with Top-of-the-Line Specially Formulated, Nutritious Snacks for Dogs Vida™ Organic Treats Earn Prestigious Organic ‘Seal of Approval’

Nov 2007

NEPTUNE CITY, NJ — Organic barley, chicken, peas and carrots are just a sampling of the many natural ingredients found in Vida^™ Organic Treats, the newest line of healthy, edible dog products introduced by Nylabone^® Products.

As Americans are buying premium pet foods at a record pace, Nylabone’s entire Vida line — five varieties of flavorful and wholesome snacks, specially formulated for good nutrition and optimum health — has entered the retail market with the distinction of earning the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) “seal of approval.”

The leader in responsible pet care for over 50 years, Nylabone received the noteworthy OTCO designation for the Vida brand after meeting stringent U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for the production of organic foods — the most significant level of quality assurance for natural food products.

“By achieving Oregon Tilth certification for Vida, which is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of high integrity and quality, organic consumers can be assured about the Vida Organic Treats’ ingredients and the method of Vida’s production — no GMOs (genetically modified organisms), no preservatives, no growth hormones, no pesticides and no chemical additives,” says Glen S. Axelrod, President and CEO of Nylabone Products’ parent company, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., based in Neptune City, N.J.

“Furthermore, we go beyond the organic requirements by avoiding any added natural coloring, and avoiding any added salt, sugar, wheat or gluten,” he explains, emphasizing that special manufacturing and handling procedures are in place to ensure rigorous organic production requirements and other even more stringent requirements are followed.           

Recent studies show that pet owners are increasingly aware that nutrition plays a major role in a pet’s overall health and well-being. Organic diets, in particular, are proving to be extremely beneficial in promoting good health, performance and longevity.

Reflecting these marketplace trends, U.S. retail sales of natural pet foods have jumped a record-setting 50% during the past five years and are expected to exceed $1 billion in 2007. Specifically, the organic segment of the natural pet foods market is slated to nearly double from 2003 to 2007, with sales forecasted to climb to $67 million this year, according to the Organic Trade Association.

“More and more pet parents are finding that if they adjust their animals’ diets, certain illnesses may be avoided, less medication may be required for some ailments, and their pets may be able to live longer lives,” Axelrod explains. “Vida Organic Treats are a certified, organic, natural and nutritious way to treat their dogs to the good life.”

During the past year, much of the increased demand for organic American-made pet products has been triggered by heightened consumer concern over the recent recalls of many brands of non-organic pet foods using some imported, non-American ingredients. As a result, pet owners are jumping on the “Made in the U.S.A.” bandwagon when choosing pet products for safety and quality.

Axelrod points out that Vida Organic Treats join Nylabone’s extensive list of pet products — the vast majority of which are made in the United States. “Nylabone is a known and trusted brand among consumers, built upon a 50-year reputation for offering the highest-quality products,” he says. “The ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ label found on our packaging has become synonymous with our unwavering commitment to product excellence.”
Nylabone developed the brand Vida — the Spanish translation for “life ”— in consultation with Robert S. Goldstein, V.M.D., a renowned author and famous holistic veterinarian who has formulated more than 100 nutritional products and foods for dogs and cats.

In addition to containing a organic ingredients — barley, carrots, chicken, flaxseed, oats, peas

and rice — all Vida gluten-free formulas are highly digestible, and fortified with a variety of vitamins, fatty acids and a proprietary blend of healthful oils. Crunchy in texture to help clean teeth, they are full of flavor to please the palates of dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages.

Vida Organic Treats come in five varieties that contain select ingredients to help meet the nutritional needs of every dog, based on their health and dietary preferences:

n      Just for Puppies is gentle enough for a young dog’s delicate digestive system, fortified with extra calcium and other nutrients to foster strong growth.

n      Multi-Vitamin Fortified is enriched with important vitamins and essential minerals to keep a dog’s heart and body strong.

n      Hip & Joint Defense is supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin, which help promote cartilage strength and resilience.

n      Immune System Booster is made with natural ingredients rich in antioxidants, including blueberries, barley grass and parsley.

n      Skin & Coat Enhancer includes a blend of salmon and evening primrose oils that are high in omega fatty acids to help maintain a healthy skin and coat.