PET Food Processing - September 2019 - 38

the content of the respective berry or vegetable, minus
any binders or fillers. Micro pellets offer manufacturers
better product densities per lb., easier and safer storage
and handling options, faster manufacturing flow rates,
and uniformity of color and size. Use of the micro pellet
could also decrease the risk of airborne exposure and the
safety issues incurred by conventional fruit or vegetable
powders, according to Zimmer.
"There's a continuous drive in the feed marketplace for
value-added inclusions of highly functional dried fruits and
vegetables, as well as for new items never seen in the pet
food industry," he continues. "Offering a micro pellet particulate reduces costs and adds variety and originality while
still offering visibility and functionality in the finished
product with uniformity in size and color."

Multi-use applications

Top: Produce inclusions come in many
forms, consistencies
and sizes depending
on specific product
applications.
Gabmaster Photography

Bottom: Pet food
manufacturers
understand that the
health appeals of
certain ingredients for
humans translate into
the pet food and treat
space for pets as
well, especially as
visual inclusions.
US Highbush Blueberry Council

biscuits and the berry can also be used as a substitute for fillers and stabilizers, further enhancing the clean-label image
of a product.

Calculating cost benefit

Beyond providing nutrition, manufacturers of pet food
and treats must also consider the cost involved in adding
particulates and inclusions to a formula. Cost is often the
deciding factor when it comes to which inclusions and particulates to include and how many, according to Zimmer.
Produce Processors, Principle Solutions' manufacturing
facility in Plover, Wisconsin, supplies its customers through
two separate dehydrating plants. One line is designated
to dry pieces of fruit or vegetable, often whole items, and
a second line uses a high-capacity, triple-pass, food-grade
dryer for ground raw material. Zimmer explains the dried
ground material is often more economical and tends to cost
less than whole or pieces of whole product. The company
has also launched a cost-saving micro pellet particulate for
use in pet treats and canned pet food.
The micro pellet particulate is made using a higher
steam temperature. It retains color and smells and tastes
the same as the dried whole powders or pieces the product it aims to replace. The product also retains 100% of

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

Florida Food Products is another manufacturer supplying
natural fruit and vegetable ingredients for premium pet nutrition products. The Eustis, Florida-based company uses
produce to replace chemical-based cure accelerators, stabilizers and sodium nitrate/nitrite in human and pet foods.
Applying the power of plants, Florida Food Products
produces Veg Stable, an all-natural powder that replaces the
need for synthetic meat ingredients. The product, derived
from acerola cherries, celery and Swiss chard, accelerates
curing processes, promotes cure color stability, contributes
antioxidants and enhances antimicrobial effects, according
to the company.
VanDrunen Farms, Momence, Illinois, provides
whole food fruit and vegetable ingredients in organic,
drum-dried, freeze-dried and low-micro processing
options, providing manufacturers with clean labels and
traceability from a fully transparent supply chain, according to the company.
Because drum-dried ingredients reconstitute quickly and keep much of their flavor, color and nutrition,
this format is popular in a variety of pet food products.
VanDrunen Farms employs a drum-drying process with its
pureed raw ingredients. Fruits and vegetables are ground
until they produce a slurry, which is then dried over two
rotating, high-capacity drums. The thin sheet produced by
the drum can be ground into a powder or flakes.
"As more food ingredient companies are embracing the
growth of the pet food industry, the difference between human food ingredients and AAFCO-compliant ingredients,
and the nuances therein, are critical for manufacturers to
clearly understand the production of pet food and treats.
Not all human food ingredients are safe and appropriate for
pets." Mackie concludes. "Selecting and tailoring treats to
the unique needs of animals enriches the human-animal
bond and the resulting special times pet owners spend with
their pets."
PFP

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PET Food Processing - September 2019

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