Joseph P Kearns – Editor, International Petfood
Happy New Year as we welcome 2025 with enthusiasm and excitement for all the possibilities in front of us. The petfood industry is in good order and advancing in all fronts. Ingredients, machinery developments, new treats and products in both the kibble as well as the fresh petfood varieties entered the markets around the world. With new products comes marketing of petfood. A topic that even though not discussed much is in full swing lately and has changed over the years. Remember Lorne Greene and Alpo commercials on black and white TV?
Today you still see the petfood commercials as in the past but special technical developments such as the internet and social media means many options have developed. Associations with pet related groups such as bloggers, dog trainers, vets and a wide range of petfood associations lend to develop ads justifying and promoting creditability, knowledge and awareness of your products. These connections give personal feelings with regards to pet care and awareness of the feeds and foods for pets. Search engines or the availability of information to all is astounding. I just searched for high meat petfoods and a number of them come up. The most interesting part is ‘People also ask’ as it shows intertest in knowing more about petfood. Is high meat good? Which meat is healthiest? What percentage should you look for? Which meats are to be avoided? On and on.
I could not resist in asking about insects in petfood. Yes, the use of insect meal in petfood is growing as the science shows it. The answer included a footnote with a very technical backup review of insects used, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. (Insects as Feed for Companion and Exotic Pets: A Current Trend). Presently most asked questions were related to bugs in purchased petfood which we know is a result of how these products are stored after leaving factories. Dogs and cats naturally eat insects, mine did, so developments in this area will be interesting to follow.
Switching gears to machinery developments, there’s never-ending monthly surprises about what is new and developing in all aspects of equipment used in the petfood industry. Sensors, computer programs, motors, pumps, conveyors, lab equipment, hammermills, dryers, extruders, packaging, coating gear and endless advancements. Go to a feed/petfood event of which there are hundreds all over the world. VICTAM, VIV, GEAPS, IPPE are loaded with booths showing many of the developments and advancements to make new products or improve on existing ones with advantages. More efficiency, less waste, less energy, higher opt the door throughput and all the other advancements the industry is looking for. A big topic over recent years is in the sanitation area or improvements made. The change in sanitation regulations for petfood production jump started all aspects of review and understanding of the critical areas for this control. Plant designs, equipment access improvements, enclosures to prevent dust entry, cleaning agents, surface testing systems to check cleanliness just to name a few.
Another area where many new and old related topics are discussed are at the various online and in-person advanced courses on feed, petfood and food production. Leading experts offer explanations and have discussions on techniques and methods to advance the technology they most likely spend years learning. Some of this stuff is not obvious and when in production you don’t get a chance to play and thus trends are not experienced. Gentlemen who have had chances to experiment may offer simple direct ideas to correct situations. Recently at an event like this an individual asked about clumps, kibbles sticking together off the die. Been there done that one, so? Less water possibly but most likely less knife blades and turn them a bit faster. He reported a positive improvement. My fellow lecturer, Ryan Alan S Celis of the Philippines, was most impressive in a Progressus Agribusiness Course in Bangkok Thailand and I say this as similar situations discussed in his area of expertise occurred. Hammermill, mixers and pellet mill questions answered with photos and justification. There are many great courses out there and worth looking into. Just noticed the world value of feed equipment sales is in the 16.7 billion US range while petfood processing equipment is in the 7.5 billion US per year range surfing LinkedIn. That is huge and worth of a few courses to increase your range of information for capital equipment improvements or purchases.
Reviewing this addition shows that Oterra is putting in a North American Plant for natural colours. Good to see as colorful petfoods attract customers. Red dye no.40 was eventually eliminated and dyes became a bad name thus many natural brown and round kibbles. However, good news is natural colors are sustainable and healthy.
Leiber’s Maike Rakebrandt discusses brewers yeast and the positive benefits of pure dried brewers yeast which contains a high content of essential amino acids, B-vitamins and trace minerals. Positive effects on digestion, gastro-intestinal health and performance. It also is somewhat attractive to pets based on smell.
Details of protein digestibility are covered by Dr Francesca Susca of Lallemand Animal Nutrition. Very detailed and the science of digestion and the basis of why hydrolysed yeast should be of intertest.
Laura Latišonoka of Tetra Pak, Sweden, reviews the trends in petfood packaging. It used to be just a few choices but in today’s environment there are many options. Special petfoods with health added ingredients trend use small single serving bags or pouches to control active ingredient intake. This article is a good update on trends in packaging and how they are changing to be more eco-friendly and sustainable. As we start as new the troubleshooting section will review the 12 main processing areas with discussion on situations. Symaga of Spain in our Industry Profile this month reviews outside storage silos which falls under the first topic receiving and storage of raw materials. Let’s look forward to a very positive 2025 as Perendale Publishers and myself wish you a very happy and prosperous year.
Published in the January 2025 issue of International Petfood.
