ISSUE FOCUS 50 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2024 BENEO’S RICE PROTEIN SPECIALTY INGREDIENT For pet food producers thinking of adding a plantbased protein option in their ingredient portfolio, rice protein is a clean label quality ingredient, included in the EU Catalogue of Feed Materials.x BENEO’s rice protein offers a guaranteed protein content of a minimum 79% on product basis and almost 90% on dry matter basis, making it a highly concentrated source of protein. When BENEO’s rice protein EAA profile is compared against the requirements of adult catsxi, it delivers a well-balanced profile and what is required to promote long-term health. According to a recent internal digestibility trial in cecectomized roosters - a recommended animal model for pets - BENEO’s rice protein reaches (ileal) digestibility scores close to 90%, confirming its good digestibility and overall high quality. Especially in adult cats, it has shown DIAAS-like2 scores >100% compared to FEDIAF reference and no limiting amino acid. In addition, this hypoallergenic, clean label ingredient is free from the most frequent food allergensxii, making it suitable for the most sensitive cats, like seniors or kittens, as well as cats with allergies. Thanks to exceptional nutritional assets and its overall excellent acceptance by pet owners, BENEO’s rice protein can fulfil the most demanding and specific requirements of (super) premium or veterinary dry and wet cat food products. BENEO’s rice protein is produced in a state-ofthe-art and food-certified rice ingredient plant in Wijgmaal, Belgium, from non-GMO raw material sources. It is processed in alkaline conditions, and this is important because alkaline production is associated with a high digestibility of proteins.xiii BENEO continuously strives for more sustainable production processes at the site, for example by identifying equipment and technologies that allow CO2 emission reductions. Also, thanks to having approved suppliers in multiple countries and a strategic raw material inventory, BENEO’s rice protein supply security can be ensured. The interest in vegetal protein sources for plantbased and hybrid diets looks set to continue in 2025 amongst dog food producers and to expand even further into the cat food arena. With BENEO’s rice protein capable of delivering essential amino acids, good digestibility, hypoallergenicity and clean label credentials, it makes an interesting addition to any producer’s ingredient toolbox, whilst opening up attractive recipe formulation development opportunities in the years ahead. 1Examples for essential nutrients only found in animal sources that need to be supplemented in vegetarian diets for cats include taurine (an amino acid) and ara-
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