Steps to an innovative future

Part 1. Removing barriers

George Collings, Ph.D.

June 25, 2024

There are many potential impediments to innovation; an organization must work through them in order to move forward and grow.

There are many potential impediments to innovation; an organization must work through them in order to move forward and grow.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is the first of four in a series on business innovation.

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It Stock Free Young Pet Owner With Dog 2397699

‘Pets as family’ still strong, changing with younger owners

General Mills’ pet food segment down 8% in Q4 FY24

Ingredient Issues

The importance of a balanced diet — without mineral excesses

The possible undesired results of unbalanced minerals in pet food formulations bear further examination.

Trace mineral concentrations in pet food formulations can impact the nutritional balance and value of the final product.

Ingredient Issues

A proposal to approve ingredients for pets

Streamlining the acceptance process would go a long way towards advancing pet nutrition options for pet food manufacturers.

The pet food industry has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the efficiency of ingredient acceptance regulations and processes.

Processing Functional Ingredients

Functional formulation delivery in pet products

Functional products and ingredients are becoming more complex in the wake of consumer demand.

Choosing the correct way to deliver functionality in pet products is vital for efficacy and accurate labeling.

Ingredient Issues

Business to business to business – Communication success

From ingredients to manufacturing to brands, here are the items you need to consider to promote clear communication every step of the way.

Communication all along the supply chain is vital for businesses to succeed, both alone and within their partnerships.

Ingredient Issues

Supportive or softness — Collagen versus gelatin

Collagen should be just as commonly accepted as gelatin in the pet food ingredient approval arena.

While collagen and gelatin have their differences, they are both commonly used as ingredients and should be treated equally when it comes to approval.

Pet Food Additives/Supplements

Pet food toppers: Can you top that?

People want to give their pets a more customized feeding experience.

Toppers and mixers are used in a myriad of ways by pet owners, including as treats, as supplementation to main feeding and in some cases as meals themselves (if they’re marketed as such).

Ingredient Issues

Pet food science — Leading the way to healthier pets

Dr. George Collings discusses the very real pitfalls of putting scientific research and reactive opinions on the same level of validity in pet food.

Loss of confidence in the scientific process can be damaging to brands and to the pet food industry as a whole.

Pet Food Ingredients

Pet food ingredients and product innovation

Learn about the current state of pet food ingredients and product innovation, particularly the challenges and pitfalls inherent in “ingredient demonization.”

The demonization of pet food ingredients from within the industry limits the potential for innovation and confuses pet food consumers.

Pet food labeling – How do we communicate nutrition to consumers?

Learn about the various pathways in pet food labeling, and where the line is between what should be conveyed and what often is conveyed.

Accurately conveying pet nutrition information to customers is vital to building trust.

Pet food labeling — Who has the ear of the consumer?

Learn about the complications in pet food labeling and how marketing and regulatory may find themselves at odds when trying to communicate with consumers.

Pet Food Ingredient Mix

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