ISSUE FOCUS 40 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2022 “Each pet food and treat product format offers opportunities for cost savings and improvement in overall efficiency and especially during a global energy crisis, this fact is in the focus of every entrepreneur. Specialized cellulose fibers have proven to make production processes more sustainable. In dry pet food the drying time in production can be reduced by 50%...” In past years there has been a steady stream of new product developments in the pet food and treat market. Increased awareness of nutritional and technological benefits of ingredients such as fiber allows manufacturers to develop more holistic solutions. GUT HEALTH Feeding complete foods rich in natural fiber is undoubtedly good for a pet´s health – a fact that is backed up by an array of scientific studies. As components of pet food and functional ingredients, specific fiber sources are primarily known for their ability to keep a pet´s digestive system healthy and balanced. Clinical studies have shown that supplementing dry and wet cat food with cellulose fiber helps to reduce typical hairball symptoms and to raise faecal hair excretion in cats. PREVENTING OBESITY As in humans, pet obesity numbers continue to increase year by year. According to the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP), nearly 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Weight management foods enriched with concentrated cellulose fiber can help to better control weight in cats and dogs without affecting food palatability. DENTAL CARE Oral health is another top concern among pet owners. Approximately 70% of cats and 80% of dogs develop some form of oral health problem by the time they are three years old. Clinical studies have proven that dental foods and snacks enhanced with specific cellulose fibers work more effectively to promote oral health in dogs when compare with fiber-free control products. STANDARDIZED QUALITY Consistency, texture and uniformity of pet food products are key quality attributes that are important to consumers but may be difficult to maintain. Given the variable nature of ingredients and the complexity of the manufacturing process, creating the right consistency can be a challenge for the manufacturer. Well-known binders such as spraydried plasma (SDP), wheat gluten or egg white/ albumin commonly used in so-called restructured meat products like chunks, and in all meat appliFIBER INNOVATIONS – TIME TO SHINE Dr. Astrid Bosse Sales Manager JRS Petfood & Aquafeed
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