PET Food Processing - December 2019 - 29

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FOCUSED
ON THE FACTS
Forget fads and fears, brands should help pet owners
know the facts for selecting pet foods and treats. 

By Donna Berry | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com

F

The fact is, humans and animals are physiologically different. While pet parents tend to transfer their own nutritional concerns onto their pets, albeit out of love, they
rely on pet food manufacturers to base formulations on
proven nutritional science. "A successful pet food formulator carefully considers the science behind a trend,
the size of the trended product and the diversification of
the product portfolio," says Patrick Luchsinger, manager
of marketing and business development, pet food segment, Ingredion Inc., Westchester, Illinois. "If a supplier
cannot provide evidence of benefits about the ingredient, the chance is that there is no - or not enough -
evidence or scientific data to support it, thus hyperbole."
The fact is, pet parents are concerned about what
they feed their four-legged companions. A 2017 survey conducted by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company,
St. Louis, found that 84% of pet owners are concerned
about the ingredients in their pets' food. More than
four out of five pet owners are likely to read the list of
ingredients in pet food before buying it. "Many dog
and cat owners are often confused about what constitutes safe and healthy food," says Jason Gagne, veterinary nutritionist with Purina. "They have misperceptions about ingredients and aren't clear about what
types of nutrients their pets need."

The fact is, food ingredients may be digested and used
differently by animals than humans, which means it is
paramount that formulators do not succumb to the latest
fad or speak to unsubstantiated trending fears when developing pet foods. "Consumers often read the ingredient panel on a bag and make a judgement about whether
the food is good or bad. We need to move away from
the focus on ingredients and instead focus on the nutrients those ingredients provide," says Jennifer Adolphe,
Ph.D., nutrition manager, Petcurean, Chilliwack, British
Columbia. "We need to educate people to seek out the
nutrient profiles of foods and provide education about
how to read and interpret the profiles."
Gagne agrees. "Since pets clearly have different nutritional needs than their owners, pet food scientists
have developed complete and balanced meals that give
pets all the nutrition they need in one product. We look
beyond the latest ingredient fad and develop pet food
based on a smart blend of nutrients that supports pets'
overall health," he says.
This includes differentiating recipes based on the nutritional needs of different breeds, as well as size, age and
lifestyle. This is why table food is not a smart option for
pets. Yet, some pet parents believe that homemade is
fresher and less processed than commercial pet food.

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