PET Food Processing - March 2019 - 39

INGREDIENTS

HEALTH
AND HAPPINESS
Fruits and vegetables add the visual appeal, nutrition and
processing benefits pet food brands are happy to embrace.
By Donna Berry | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com

We are reminded regularly to eat our fruits and vegetables - that Mother Nature has loaded them up
with good-for-you nutrients, everything from antioxidants and enzymes to vitamins and minerals, compounds critical to health and wellness. Most provide a
decent dose of fiber, and therefore assist with digestive
health. Depending on the form, application and inclusion level, fruits and vegetables often deliver their own
unique color, flavor and texture to prepared foods. So,
if they're good for humans, they must be good for our
furry friends.
"When formulating pet foods with fruits and vegetables, pets receive well-balanced nutrition and an
added boost of energy," says Yien Saechao, research and
development, quality manager, Jain Farm Fresh Foods
Inc., Merced, California. "In addition to being a great
supplement to a healthy diet, fruits and vegetables are affordable and environmentally sustainable. They are also
easily grown [and prepared] with no additives or preservatives and provide the benefits of improved digestion
and absorption of nutrients."
Deborah Payne, consultant for the US Highbush
Blueberry Council, San Mateo, California, says, "The humanization of pet foods has become an industry trend.

As consumers, we have been encouraged to eat more
fruits and vegetables. This resonates into the pet food
kingdom." She says it was not too long ago that it was
considered highly unusual to find fruits and vegetables
in packaged dog and cat food. Now they are prominently
featured by many brands.

Viewed as holistic

"When we started talking to companies about formulating pet foods with fruits and vegetables, they were
intrigued by the health research and consumer studies.
Fruits and vegetables are all about holistic health," Payne
says. "Pet parents worry about age-related declines, such
as joint health, eye sight, memory and gut health. The
pet is considered a family member and keeping a dear
one well and comfortable is important. For a treasured
companion, food is not something to skimp on."
Skimping is unheard of by Kate McCarron, founder,
Portland Pet Food Co., Portland, Oregon, a manufacturer of pet foods that are made from only humangrade all-natural ingredients, including fruits and vegetables. Portland Pet Food was born out of necessity
by McCarron, whose background includes 20 years of
running her own consulting firm providing medical

Sweet potato can be
enticing on a pet food
product label because
it is recognized as a
traditionally healthy
and tasty human food
ingredient, while still
offering the same
nutritional advantages
to pets.
Van Drunen Farms

www.petfoodprocessing.net | March 2019 | PET FOOD PROCESSING

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PET Food Processing - March 2019

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