Author: Jordan Tyler

HAWKE’S BAY, NEW ZEALAND — Animals Like Us, a New Zealand-based pet food brand, announced on Feb. 20 is launching its latest product: RawMix50™. The dog diet “bridges the gap” between premium kibble and more premium freeze-dried and fresh diets, according to the company.RawMix50 combines high-protein kibble bites with whole chunks of dried meat and organs to create a “granola for dogs” look for diets. Freeze-dried inclusions account for 50% of the diet, while the other 50% consists of high-protein kibble.”Fully dried food is expensive and ‘fresh’ food is not only expensive, but messy to serve,” said Rob Achten, co-founder…

WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO — For Leone Fine Foods, a step into pet nutrition isn’t far off. As a family-owned meat producer based in Toronto, the company is familiar to pet owners looking for raw and minimally processed nutrition for their four-legged companions.”My dad has been in the meat industry since 1993, so we’ve been around a long time,” says Michael Leone, founder of The Butcher’s Pup and former vice president of sales and marketing at Leone Fine Foods. “It was very organic for us to go into the pet food world. A few years ago, we started making raw dog food…

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is seeking public comment through March 1 on a proposed “controlled copper” claim for dog food. The proposed claim includes a maximum of 15 mg copper per kg DM and a maximum of 3.75 mg copper per 100 kcal of metabolizable energy for dog food formulas designed for one or more life stages.An 11-person Workgroup was formed to identify the need to reconsider AAFCO’s copper guidelines. Model Regulations for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food. The original copper regulation described a “low copper” claim, which could indicate to consumers…

NEW YORK — The Better Choice Company announced on Feb. 9 its acquisition of Aimia Pet Healthco Inc. The transaction follows a partnership the two companies established in 2023 to develop a GLP1 supplement that benefits pets with obesity and related health issues.The companies first partnered in October 2023 to collaborate on R&D for the supplement, which will be sold under Better Choice’s Halo brand. Following that initial MOU, Aimia Pet went on to sign another MOU with KGK Science Inc., a Canadian research organization, to help develop the supplement.Through the acquisition, Better Choice will now internally manage clinical trials…

St. LOUIS — Rachael Ray Nutrish, a premium pet food brand owned by Post Holdings, Inc., is introducing three new wet dog food formulas featuring ingredients that target overall health and gentle digestion.New products include Chunks in Gravy Real Turkey, Brown Rice, Peas & Carrots Recipe, Chunks in Gravy Gentle Digestion Real Lamb, Pumpkin & Chicken, and Gentle Digestion 12 Count Variety Pack.The new Chunks in Gravy recipe with turkey, brown rice, peas and carrots consists of whole chunks of turkey and vegetables visible in the finished product. The formula is supported by Nutrish’s Whole Health Blend, which includes Omega…

CINCINNATI — ProMach, a global supplier of processing and packaging solutions, announced on Feb. 14 that it has completed the acquisition of Zanichelli Meccanica SpA, better known as Zacmi, an Italian producer of filling, seaming and pasteurization systems. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.Since its founding in 1954, Zacmi has established itself as a respected supplier of food packaging equipment, according to ProMach. The family-owned company holds nearly 50 patents for equipment innovation and hygienic design and has supplied more than 2,500 systems in food processing and pet food applications worldwide. Zacmi operates on a global scale with…

MANNHEIM, GERMANY — A recent global survey of dog and cat owners revealed that pet owners continue to prioritize nutritional efficacy, health and sustainability over price when choosing their furry treats. companions, even in times of high inflation.According to BENEO, which conducted a survey of 2,500 dog and cat owners across the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and China through FMCG Gurus, only about 17% of pet owners animals have switched to cheaper pet food products as a result of budget pressure, while 90% of pet owners have seen an increase in the price of pet food in…

SASKATOON, CANADA — Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., a global Omega ingredient supplier and subsidiary of Cooke Inc., announced on February 7 its acquisition of POS (Proteins, Oils and Starches) Biosciences Corp., an ingredient and process technology provider for protein, oil and starch categories.The acquisition gives Bioriginal access to POS’s oil processing, concentration and distillation infrastructure, as well as R&D services, as it aims to produce value-added ingredients for the human and pet nutrition markets .With the addition of POS, Bioriginal now operates eight manufacturing facilities worldwide, supported by regional offices in the United States, the Netherlands and Japan. Bioriginal…

PUNE, INDIA — The changing pet food landscape requires an evolution of processing and packaging technologies. According to a recent report from MarketsandMarkets shared by the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), today’s equipment suppliers are responding to a variety of requirements from modern processors, including innovative and clean design, flexibility for in mass production, and special equipment that speaks to the premiumization of dog and cat food.In the report, “Food Processing and Packaging Equipment Market — Global Forecast to 2028,” MarketsandMarkets suggested premiumization, increasing awareness of pet health and nutrition, and technological advances in processing are the three main factors…

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Consumer Brands Association is celebrating a “complete rejection” of steel import tariffs on tin mills proposed by Cleveland-Cliffs, a steel conglomerate, by mid-2023. On Feb. 6, the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted unanimously to reject a final duty determination issued by the Department of Commerce (DOC) and effectively ended the Cleveland-Cliffs campaign to impose duties of up to 300%.According to the International Trade Administration, the ITC has the final say on any antidumping and countervailing duty determinations, as it is the agency’s responsibility to investigate how those subsidized imports will hurt US industry members — in…