PET Food Processing - September 2021 - 12

TRENDS
industry.
Organic
and gluten-free ancient
grain options
are available in whole
kernels, flours or custom
blends, delivering
unique flavor and appearance
to pet treats. "
Recently, Phelps Pet
Products released its
Disney
TableScraps™
dog treat line.
" This line is a collaborative
effort between
Disney and Phelps Pet
Products to provide dog
treats featuring meat-first
Upcycled
ingredients and a
meatless variety
support the
sustainability story
of this new Disneybranded
line of
dog treats.
Phelps Pet Products
'upcycled ingredients' (thus, the selection of the name
'Table Scraps'), USDA certified organic recipes, 100%
plant-based (meatless) recipes, and clean-label ingredient
panels, " Ruffolo explained.
Other notable new pet treat offerings include v-dog's
kindjerky meatless jerky treats made with animal-free
ingredients, and Bocce's Bakery Dailies, a line of functional
treats that address dental health, immune system
health, digestion, and more.
" Sales of CBD pet products are still going strong, too,
although they're not yet approved by the FDA, " said
Brad Allen, innovation and new product development,
Bow Wow Labs, Novato, Calif.
Challenges of pet treat production
Staying current with changing consumer demands is an
ongoing process for pet food and treat processors.
" Challenges include meeting multiple customers' demands
in a fast-growing market, " said Amy Tesinsky,
senior research and innovation scientist, Petsource
by Scoular, Seward, Neb. " Another challenge is having
the flexibility to manufacture single-ingredient treats
(freeze-dried chicken, freeze-dried beef liver) as well
as complex formulas with superfoods, grains, as well as
utilizing sustainable proteins such as bean flour, alligator,
insects, etc. "
Packaging is a challenge for processors with the ever
growing range of pet treat formats and ingredients.
" As consumers prioritize convenience over cost for
their pet food and treat purchases, processors are tasked
with more product and packaging changeovers required
for small-batch production runs, " Morgan said. " In addition,
pet owners want more sustainable packaging and
resealable options that retain freshness, which can be
challenging. "
Another challenge is managing complexity in the pro12
PET FOOD PROCESSING | September 2021 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
duction process while ensuring quality and food safety.
" Managing a diversity of unique ingredients requires
an experienced team of procurement and food science
experts working with quality suppliers to ensure that our
ingredients meet our demanding specifications, " Mickey
explained.
The sourcing of ingredients required for certain brand
claims can limit who can manufacture those products.
" Human-grade ingredient requests are growing, "
Allen remarked. " However, many of the traditional
pet food and treat processing facilities cannot produce
human-grade ingredients and maintain the claim of a
product being made with human-grade ingredients. "
Advancements in technology
New technology has facilitated the production of increasingly
complex treat formulations.
" Processing lines are being updated with technology
that delivers real-time data for temperature and moisture
monitoring and general information related to the
line's efficiency, " Morgan explained. " In addition, updated
equipment designs that focus on sanitation and
reduced contamination help ensure product quality for
pet treat manufacturers. "
Human-food production offers some options.
" The most recent technology that is being used is enrobing
technology, which is used primarily in the human
confectionery and baking industries, " Allen said.
" We are now seeing treats that are enrobed with peanut
butter, yogurt-based coatings, and carob (chocolate replacement
ingredient for pets). "
" Pet parents have found
new ways to incorporate
treats into their pets'
daily routines. "
Amy McCarthy, ADM Animal Nutrition
Martodam said more pet treats coming from human
food manufacturers increases the overall processing options
for pet brands.
" Pet broth would be an example of this where liquid
broth products are now being used as a form of treating
along with palatability enhancers to dry food, "
Martodam explained.
Processors are also innovating by finding new applications
for existing technology.
" We see innovation in pet treats presenting new opportunities
as manufacturers use existing technology to
explore unique treat shapes with new combinations of
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
PET Food Processing - September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PET Food Processing - September 2021
