KEARNEY, MO. — On March 24, the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announced featured speakers for its annual Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) occurring from June 12 to 15 in Des Moines, Iowa. Brittany White, Ph.D., Maria R. C. de Godoy, Ph.D., and Michael Clark will serve as AMSA’s featured speakers for the “Pet Food Innovation for Pets and Pet Parents” symposium at RMC.

The symposium, sponsored by Simmons Foods, will take place on June 15, and will share insights on trends within the pet food industry.

Brittany White, Ph.D., director of product development at Simmons Pet Food; Maria R. C. de Godoy, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Illinois; and Michael Clark, senior director of integrated marketing at Simmons Pet Food. (Source: AMSA)   

White, director of product development at Simmons Pet Food, will speak about forces driving the trend of humanization within the industry, as well as consumer insights, the development of alternative food formats and the challenges it creates for processors. White will also discuss the opportunities for pet food companies looking to enter the humanized food space, while maintaining food safety and more sustainable practices.

Godoy, associate professor at the University of Illinois, will discuss commercialized pet food formats and diversification. She will also speak to the different processes within the industry, including extrusion and retorting, as well as the long-term impacts of new nutritional approaches on a pet’s health and food safety.

Clark, senior director of integrated marketing at Simmons Pet Food, will present insights on the shifting buying behaviors of pet parents. He will also discuss changes in pet food products, sales channels and long-term impacts on the industry.

To attend the “Pet Food Innovation for Pets and Pet Parents” symposium, AMSA requires registration for RMC by May 2.

Read more about pet food and treat industry events.