Pet Food Processing - January 2025 - 65

PACKAGING
packaged
Packaging fresh pet foods comes with a range of challenges.
By Keith Loria | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com
F
Fresh and frozen pet food formats continue to gain
popularity among consumers, resulting in more options
in the pet food aisle. In response, there's been a surge of
innovation in equipment and packaging materials available
to pet food processors who are packaging these specialty
pet food formats.
Compared to traditional packaging for dry kibble,
which requires more barrier properties and has an inherent
longer shelf life due to the nature of the product, fresh
and frozen pet food must withstand lower temperatures
during manufacturing, transport and storage. As such,
the packaging must utilize specialty polymers for sealing
to maintain seal integrity, as well as incorporate high-barrier
polymers to maintain moisture and prevent oxygen
transmission, enhancing shelf life and reducing spoilage.
Tim Kieny, vice president of sales and marketing
for pet food at Montreal-based TC Transcontinental
Packaging, notes packaging styles for fresh and frozen are
quite different from the large quad-seal plastic bags that
come in laminated plastic, woven polypropylene (WPP)
and multiwall paper formats for dry kibble products.
" The consumer for fresh and frozen pet food tends
to purchase much more often than their kibble kin, one
to three times per week versus several weeks to months
for dry product, " Kieny said. " The package sizes are also
quite different. Nearly half of all fresh and frozen pet
food is consumed in 3-lb or smaller sizes with the largest
at about 6 lbs of product. Compare this to the dry food
consumer who, depending upon the size and number of
their pets, purchase sizes from 3 to 5 lbs for small bags,
10 to 20 lbs for medium bags, and all the way up to 50
lbs for large bags. "
Fresh and frozen pet foods offer several advantages
over conventional dry pet food. These formats are highly
palatable, with improved appearance, aroma and texture
that appeal to both pets and their parents. Due to gentler
processing methods, they also retain more essential nutrients
and generally have improved nutrient digestibility.
In fact, many pet owners report noticeable improvements
in their pets' digestion, skin and coat health when
feeding fresh or frozen diets, highlighting their potential
for supporting overall pet wellbeing. These benefits play
a significant role in processing decisions, emphasizing
methods that preserve nutritional integrity while maintaining
an appealing product appearance and texture.
Gerardo Perez-Camargo, Ph.D., senior vice president
of R&D for Bedminster, NJ-based Freshpet, notes there
are numerous advantages to making fresh products, including
that the ingredients are visible and recognizable,
maintaining their natural shape, color and texture.
" Scientific publications show higher digestibility and
essential amino acid availability in fresh pet foods which
make them superior choices for our pets, " he said.
Brittany White, Ph.D., vice president of research, development
and commercial enablement at Ollie, a New Yorkbased
pet food brand, noted that maintaining product
www.petfoodprocessing.net | Jan-Feb 2025 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 65
As fresh and frozen pet
foods become more
popular among pet
parents, processors face
ongoing challenges
with finding the best
packaging to keep these
products fresh and safe.
©Prostock-studio-stock.adobe.com
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pet Food Processing - January 2025
