Jessica TaylorFrom the Author - Page 6NutritionHow to: Save energy with extrusion, drying and cooling equipmentRunning an energy-efficient petfood processing line isn't just important for the environment—it's important to your company's bottom line. Alternative cooking processes like pasteurization and direct contact steam injection can help by removing pathogens and sealing in flavor at lower cooking temperatures, while sanitation-obsessed machinery and operator-friendly cooking equipment can make processes run faster and smoother.NutritionAnnamaet Petfoods is inspired by the wildTrained as an animal nutritionist and raised by a mother who loved animals, Downey built on his passion for sled dog racing by starting his own line of petfoods in 1986 with his wife, Mary Jo. Annamaet Petfoods, named after Downey’s mother, Anna Mae, are holistic and naturally preserved, the company says, and have cultivated a following among veterinarians and dog breeders.NutritionUpdate: Nutrigenomics and molecular nutritionAccording to the Petfood Forum Europe presentation, "New Frontiers in Nutrition for Pet Health: The role of Nutrigenomics" by Dr. Peter Spring and Dr. Richard Murphy, nutrigenomics can be defined as how diet influences gene transcription, protein expression and metabolism, ultimately providing personalized nutrition for maintenance of an animal's health and the prevention of disease. The science of nutrigenomics seeks to provide a molecular understanding for how common dietary chemicals affect health by altering the expression and/or structure of an animal's genetic makeup.NutritionMerrick's dog food revolutionFor Garth Merrick, founder of Merrick Pet Care Inc., the definition of a family-owned company means getting his family and friends involved and bringing the company home with him. Together with his wife, Susie, and their four children, Garth built the company around their home in Hereford, Texas, USA.NutritionUpdate: What's new in the animal nutraceuticals marketNutritional supplements are one of the fastest-growing segments of the pet industry. According to the Nutrition Business Journal, August 2011, pet supplements are growing faster than other pet categories.NutritionThe protein problem: Ingredient shortages and alternative sourcesConsumers of pet products are expressing an increasing want for high-quality ingredients and formulas for their companion animals. One of their main concerns? A focus on the protein source.NutritionJust Food for thought'Unique' is often a word used to describe young petfood companies who enter the frozen/fresh segment of the market. The ingredients used are many times novel and always less processed, the packaging may be sustainable and the pet parents who buy their products love what they do for their dogs' and cats' health.NutritionHow to: Apply human food trends to petfoodThe field of pet nutrition has become more science-based than ever, according to the Veterinary Practice News article "Pet Food Nutrition Mimics Human Health Trends." Large petfood companies are using scientific research to provide petfood options to consumers that claim to prevent or combat common health problems such as kidney disease, arthritis and cancer.NutritionPackaging update: The latest materials, products and technologiesEvery year I am met with the task of sniffing out what's new and happening in petfood and treat packaging. In past years trends have included convenience, portability and sustainability.Natural/Organic Pet FoodRush Direct treats pets rightSince 2003, Rush Direct has manufactured pet treats, jerkies and other products—some under its own brands and some in partnership with other petfood companies, including in Brazil. Now the company has launched a new all-natural premium brand, Ferrera Farms Naturals, that includes dog chews, freeze-dried treats and products from red propolis, which comes from beehives.NutritionMarket Breakdown: A global petfood update by regionThe world petfood market is worth US$65.8 billion and registered 3.9% growth over 2010, says a recent report by the Italian Pet Food and Pet Care Association (ASSALCO). The spread of a different attitude towards pets, together with increasing international urbanization, has contributed significantly to the increase in the number of pet owners, in turn driving greater demand for petfoods across various regions.Pet Food IngredientsGet 'green' with the ingredients in the petfood bagAs petfood manufacturers and marketers, our industry is constantly asking the question, "What are consumers looking for in the bag?" And the answer to that question is relatively simple: pet parents want to be able to scrutinize your product's ingredients and they want to know several key things about them.Previous PagePage 6 of 13Next Page