PET Food Processing - March 2019 - 9

TRENDS

sourcing

RESPONSIBLY
Pet food processors can source more sustainable ingredients
by taking a closer look at their supply chain.
By Jordan Tyler | jtyler@sosland.com

How sustainability is defined has evolved over time,
adapting to a new era where consumers have become
increasingly cognizant of the effects their purchasing
decisions have on the environment. Today, a sustainable
supply chain in pet food processing must meet stringent
standards of overall environmental efficiency. Generally,
it is determined by how it impacts three areas: the environment, the economy, and social welfare. These three
pillars encompass the protection of natural resources,
animal welfare, bioavailability and positive labor conditions for farmers and producers.
Sustainability has become an influential trend in the
overall pet food market. "The demand for greater sustainability and transparency is driven by peoples' increasing concerns about how their purchasing decisions
affect their own health and the health of their loved ones,
whether those are people or pets, and the planet," says
Diana Visser, senior director, sustainability, research and
development, Corbion, Lenexa, Kansas. Understanding
where ingredients come from and how their sourcing
plays into the bigger picture is important to pet owners.
Martin Guthrie, director, environmental affairs and
sustainability, Darling Ingredients, Irving, Texas, explains
the trend as a chain reaction: consumers are beginning
to place higher value in the sustainability of the products
they purchase, which changes the way retailers communicate products, which in turn affects the sourcing of ingredients to match this sustainable mold.

"On a broader note, consumers are more aware of
the impact of unethical and/or unsustainable practices
across a variety of industries and are increasingly more
interested in supporting companies that are doing their
part to give consumers peace of mind," says Jennifer
Adolphe, Ph.D., senior pet nutritionist, Petcurean,
Chilliwack, British Columbia.
As processors and suppliers adapt their processes to
meet these standards, some are capitalizing on the differentiation it provides their products. "In a very crowded
market, where noticeable innovation can be a challenge,
sustainability is a great way to set aside classical product
development with a positioning that will give a sense of
leadership on the market," says Jean-Francois Herve, senior sales and business development manager, American
Seafoods Company LLC, Seattle, Washington.

Wild Alaska Pollock is
an abundant species
of fish and a highly
sustainable choice for
providing protein, minerals and omega fatty
acids in a pet diet.
American Seafood Company LLC

Passing the test

There is no single avenue for ensuring the sustainability of a supply chain. Instead, there are many independent entities and programs that evaluate suppliers to the
pet food market through similar lenses. Processors can
learn which certifications and programs their suppliers
adhere to in order to vet them for sustainable practices.
NSF International, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
is one of these entities. NSF is an independent,
global organization that provides audits, certifications and programs to help companies reduce their

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PET Food Processing - March 2019

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