SPECIAL STORY 64 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2023 “An increasing number of pet parents are concerned about the ingredients in their pets' food and are actively seeking more natural and organic options. In response, we’re seeing a lot of manufacturers incorporate more natural ingredients such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and meat into their products. However, it’s important to ensure that sustainability goals meet the pet’s needs (such as great taste and nutritional value) and the consumer needs (the right price point).” A ROADMAP TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE PET FOOD SECTOR Marcie J. Campion, Ph.D. Global Technical Sales Lead for Pet Food Cargill Pets have a special place in our homes and many owners also consider them to be beloved members of the family. This growing ‘humanization’ of our pets has big implications for food manufacturers, with pet parents actively seeking out the latest nutrition solutions to meet their pets’ changing needs. Pet parents want to see their experiences translated to their pets, with demands for human-grade ingredients and human-like pet food and services on the rise. This has a huge impact on sustainability efforts – both inside and out of the bowl. Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of pet food production on the environment. Research shows that pet owners place a greater importance on making a positive impact on the environment and are more worried about climate change, compared to their non-pet owning counterparts (Source: Euromonitor Passport: Voice of the consumer: lifestyle survey 2023). From packaging to ingredients to certifications and energy use, there’s no single ‘gold standard’ to achieving a more sustainable pet food sector. Cargill’s unique position across the entire value chain - from the farm to the bowl - enables us to adapt to emerging consumer demands and industry disruptions to deliver the ingredients our customers and pets depend on to thrive. OUTSIDE THE BOWL Reducing food waste, plastic use and recycling are among the top three ‘green’ activities reportedly taken by pet owners to enact a daily positive environmental change (Source: Euromonitor Passport: Voice of the consumer: lifestyle survey 2023). Packaging is therefore widely considered ‘table stakes’, and addressing it is the most common sustainability effort across the pet food industry today. Some manufacturers are using eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials or biodegradable materials to reduce waste, while others are focused on offering products with reduced packaging. While alternative packaging materials are available, not all plastics can be recycled in the same way. Tech-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==