Pet Food Processing - May 2024 - 31

causing oxidation in pet food. These innovative packaging
solutions can help extend the shelf life of pet food and
maintain its quality and nutritional value.
The role of ingredient suppliers
Alongside the efforts of pet food processors, ingredient
suppliers also play a crucial role in combating oxidation.
Some of the ways they can contribute include offering
high-quality ingredients with lower oxidation risk, supplying
natural antioxidants, and providing technical support
and guidance to processors.
By supplying natural antioxidant
blends, ingredient providers
contribute to enhancing the stability
and shelf life of pet food products. "
Parastou Farshi, Corbion
" Ingredient suppliers can provide both the antioxidant
products and technical solutions to utilize them, as well as
supplying ingredients that are used to formulate pet food
products that may contribute to the oxidation risk, " Mann
explained. " They play a crucial role at the front end of the
process to manage oxidation in pet food formulations
through the quality of the ingredients. Proper management
of the raw materials can influence the quality, palatability,
safety and stability of the final pet food products. "
As suppliers of antioxidants, ingredient providers play a
pivotal role in ensuring the safety and quality of pet food.
" To ensure proper shelf life and long-term stability for
various products, it is critical to control numerous oxidative-reduction
reactions in the products. Our [Balchem's]
products help provide a foundation for traditional antioxidants
to best perform, " Mason said.
" We offer encapsulated acidulants for pH control without
the negative impact on protein quality that can result
in poor stability and organoleptics. We also offer chelated
minerals to prevent reactions, as well as encapsulated
ascorbic acid for Vitamin C fortification, which can also
serve to delay some antioxidation properties, " he added.
Ingredient suppliers can also collaborate with processors
to develop new and innovative solutions that address the
ever-evolving challenges of oxidation.
" By supplying natural antioxidant blends, ingredient
providers contribute to enhancing the stability and shelf life
of pet food, " Farshi said. " Through rigorous quality control
measures and collaboration with pet food manufacturers,
ingredient providers ensure the freshness, potency and efficacy
of these natural antioxidant blends. This collaboration
enables manufacturers to optimize formulations, tailor
ingredient blends to specific product requirements, and
implement preventive measures to mitigate oxidation risks
throughout the supply chain. By leveraging natural antioxidant
blends, ingredient providers help pet food manufacturers
create products that meet consumer demand for
natural and minimally processed options while effectively
addressing oxidation concerns. "
In addition to providing antioxidants, the partnership
between ingredient suppliers and pet food manufacturers
extends to refining production and storage processes.
This collaborative effort aims to shield pet food from
oxygen, light and excessive heat from ingredient refinement
to packaging.
" Since many ingredients have extended shelf life, the
packaging (UV and O2
barrier) and storage conditions
(cold, dark and dry) are paramount from refinement to
formulation, " Rogers said. " During refinement (e.g., to
produce oil), it is key to remove pro-oxidants, such as chlorophyll
and iron, which also remove antioxidants but are
often supplemented back to refined oils. Also, the deactivation
of endogenous oxidative enzymes is paramount. "
Extending shelf life
Ultimately, the goal of addressing oxidation in pet food is
to extend shelf life and maintain product quality and safety.
This in turn benefits both manufacturers and consumers
by reducing waste, ensuring product consistency, and
meeting the needs and expectations of pet owners.
" Pet foods have a unique characteristic in that they require
12 to 18 months of shelf life and sometimes up to
even two years. It is important to understand that during
this time the product must be stored until consumption
without losing its quality, nutritional value, safety and acceptability, "
Mann said. " Extending the shelf life of pet food
while maintaining its nutritional value and palatability is a
key objective and challenge for pet food manufacturers, as
it can ensure the wellbeing of the pets. "
To achieve these goals, it is essential for pet food manufacturers
to implement a comprehensive approach to addressing
oxidation. This includes utilizing high-quality
ingredients with low oxidation risk, incorporating natural
antioxidants into formulations, and implementing proper
packaging and storage techniques.
Balchem offers
organic trace minerals
(proteinates and
chelates) that bind to
a protein ligand to
increase bioavailability
and decrease oxidationreduction
reactions,
which could lead
to reduced product
stability and/or rancidity.
Balchem
PFP
www.petfoodprocessing.net | May 2024 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 31
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Pet Food Processing - May 2024

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