PET Food Processing - September 2021 - 34

FORMULATION
" The higher the lipid content in
the product, the higher the risk
for oxidative deterioration. "
Mary Joe Fernandez, Layn Natural Ingredients
Microbial spoilage must be managed from the beginning
to the end. Meat-based raw materials can degrade
prior to manufacturing and reduce quality and impact
animal health, especially in refrigerated products contaminated
with pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella
and Listeria. And, unfortunately, pathogens are invisible,
which is why it is important that manufacturers take
proper precautions to ensure safety. Mold, on the other
hand, is visible and is reason to dispose of product. Any
product that is not sterilized can have mold challenges if
moisture or water activity are not controlled.
Heat and container matter
Retorting is the original cooking process to extend
the shelf life of low-acid wet foods. The food is heated
in hermetically sealed containers - cans were first,
pouches and cartons came later - to destroy all spoilage
and pathogenic microorganisms, thereby sterilizing the
product. Aseptic processing also sterilizes product.
Retorting is a very economical process for manufacGelling
of the gravy,
separation of fat and
color changes are shelflife
challenges for wet
pet food formats.
©Krafla - stock.adobe.com
turing wet pet foods. However, the downside is that the
high temperatures destroy heat-labile vitamins and may
negatively impact product quality. It is these drawbacks
that have fueled the growth of the fresh and frozen pet
food categories, both of which still require proper cooking
to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
" Kill steps are basic and critical to food safety, " said Rob
Ames, senior business development manager, Corbion,
Lenexa, Kan. " Using them as shelf-life strategies can
have merit and ultimately shrink the ingredient deck (as
chemical preservatives are not necessary). Manufacturers
should consider secondary shelf life (once the container is
opened) and the consequences of packaging failures. This
is where ingredients can cover the gap. "
Mann said, " Most of these ingredients are organic acids,
or ingredients that produce organic acids. They can
work by several mechanisms, either by acidifying the
bacterial cells or by destroying cellular membranes. "
These ingredients are key to ensuring the shelf life
and safety of refrigerated pet foods. They are especially
useful in raw pet foods.
" These products are often less processed with a shorter
shelf life, as compared to traditional wet and dry foods, "
said Cynthia Rasmussen, business development manager,
food protection and preservation, Kerry, Beloit, Wis. " Pet
owners are looking for recognizable ingredients, leading
more manufacturers to seek ingredients that both protect
against microbial spoilage and perfect color, aroma
and product palatability. New processing methods have
helped improve food safety challenges. "
Vinicio Serment-Moreno, applications and food processing
specialist, Hiperbaric, Doral, Fla., said, " Pets
can be more resistant to pathogens, but they might inadvertently
transfer them to owners through saliva, fur
or feces, and owners can also spread pathogens in the
kitchen by handling tainted utensils. "
This is where high-pressure processing (HPP) can assist.
The HPP system involves the loading of airtight/hermetically
sealed packages into an HPP vessel, where they
are subjected to isostatic pressure (equal pressure on all
sides), disrupting the microbial biochemistry of pathogens
and spoilage bacteria, which helps preserve freshness
and increase shelf life of perishable foods.
" Applying HPP reduces loads of hazardous bacteria,
parasites and viruses, while keeping pet foods safe and
nutritious, " Serment-Moreno said. " The HPP technology
has minimal impact on the biochemical components
of food like proteins and vitamins, ensuring that HPP
pet foods meet the nutritional requirements of companion
animals with improved sensory quality. "
Errol Raghubeer, senior vice president of
research and development, Avure
Technologies LLC, Middletown,
Ohio, said, " Innovative processors
use HPP to expand their
distribution chain. In addition,
HPP is strongly recommended as
a food safety intervention step for
raw pet foods. The technology preserves
the flavor, texture and nutrients
in raw food ingredients, and provides a safe
alternative for immunocompromised dogs and
34 PET FOOD PROCESSING | September 2021 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
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PET Food Processing - September 2021

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