Letter to Retailers

September 22, 2007

Dear Valued Retailer,

In light of the recent raw pet food recalls and the ensuing consumer concern about the safety of raw food, you can feel confident that Stella & Chewy’s is leading the industry in food safety controls. We at Stella & Chewy’s want you to know exactly what we are doing to make sure that we provide you with a raw pet food that is PATHOGEN-FREE. Not only do we have state-of-the-art food safety systems in place, but we also test every batch prior to shipping, for salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7. This is done at an independent lab and our results are available for your customers to view online.

The following outlines the steps we are taking to provide a pathogen-free product:

1. Hydrostatic High Pressure (HHP): HHP is a technology that is used to reduce vegetative bacteria in foods without the changes that are associated with cooking. The process has little effect on flavor compounds, vitamins and pigments. This method is based on the concept that at deep sea levels bacteria cannot survive where other organisms do. This naturally-occurring environment is recreated in the HHP process, allowing nutritional enzymes and amino acids to remain intact. We use HHP on all of our raw products. To date, this is the only recognized kill-step that does not use heat or irradiation; therefore, it is considered a more natural process. The result is a finished product that is safe and wholesome and still has the natural microflora and nutritional properties as unpasteurized products.


2. Advanced Oxidation Cells: These cells emit low levels of oxidative gases, including vapor Hydrogen Peroxide, that inactivate pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. Advanced oxidation cells are used to prevent contamination of surface and air-borne bacteria in the production area. Additionally, the same technology is used in the freeze-dryers and on all conveyors.


3. Consistent Independent Laboratory Testing: Samples are pulled from the finished product of each batch and taken to an independent laboratory to be tested for any unwanted bacteria. Our testing record is impeccable, and we have each batch result cataloged online at www.stellaandchewys.com/safety. These records are available for public review.

We are enclosing a laminate that you can post in your store that instructs your clients on how they can go online to view the test results for each batch of food that they purchase.

Furthermore, we welcome you and any of your clients to come for a tour of our plant in Muskego, Wisconsin.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at (888) 477-8977.

Sincerely,

Marie Moody
Founder