French pet food producer Reglo offers insect-based dog food as an alternative to meat- and fish-based products, and is readying to expand its portfolio by launching a new line of cat food products next year.
“Reglo currently sells only one product: dry dog food,” said Basile Laigre, the company’s chief executive and founder. “It is produced in France by a family owned company. Reglo plans to introduce a complete range of dog and cat food plus treats in 2022.”
Laigre set up the pet food business in June 2020, declaring he wanted to provide French pet owners with an ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional pet food brands. Reglo says its insect-based products provide dogs with the necessary daily intake of proteins, fats, acids and minerals.
Respecting the environment and other animals
Reglo’s founder said he came up with the idea to start the company while volunteering for the Animal Protection Association (SPA), France’s oldest entity of this kind. “As a volunteer for the SPA, I took a closer look at the food we are giving to pets. I couldn’t find a healthy meal that would be also prepared with respect to the environment and other animals,” Laigre said.
“So I decided to create ethical kibbles with the use of insect-based protein. After meeting dozens of producers, several recipe tests, months of cooperation with animal nutrition experts and dog breeders … Reglo was born.”
Reglo says its products are priced starting from €1.5 (US$1.80) per day for dogs with a weight of about 15 kg (33 lb).
Rising demand for insect-based pet food
Laigre said he had noticed an increased demand for his company’s products, adding that Reglo’s current growth is part of a larger global trend that could transform the pet food industry across the world. “Insect-based products are globally on the rise,” he said.
With regard to the company’s potential foreign expansion, Laigre said that, for the time being, Reglo’s efforts were centered around strengthening its foothold in France’s pet food sector. “Reglo is focused on its domestic market at this moment.”
