10 takeaways: Stocks rise with pet food health trends, as do bone broths

Once a staple in traditional cooking, stock and bone broth have surged in popularity in the human food market. People now prize these nutrient-dense liquids not just for their culinary value but also for their perceived health benefits. As consumer interest grows, especially in products like collagen-rich bone broths, this trend is quickly spilling over into the pet food industry.

However, with rising demand comes confusion over terminology and regulation, George Collings, Ph.D., president and founder of Nutrition Solutions wrote in his column for Petfood Industry. Here are 10 key takeaways from his column highlighting the current state and future implications of bone broth and stock in both human and pet food markets.

1. Explosive Market Growth
   Bone broth in the human food market is booming, projected to grow from US$1.1–1.6 billion in 2024 to US$2.8 billion by 2034, driven by health and nutrition trends.
2. Health Trend-Driven Demand
   Popularity is fueled by perceived benefits related to gut health, reduced inflammation, collagen content, and high-protein, low-carb eating.
3. Pet Market Follows Suit
   The pet food sector is adopting broths quickly, mirroring human trends and consumer expectations for functional, flavorful products.
4. Regulatory Ambiguity
   The USDA and FDA have conflicting standards for broth based on moisture-to-protein ratios, and neither defines "bone broth" specifically.
5. No Standard for Bone Broth
   Despite its popularity, there are no universally accepted definitions or standards for bone broth in either human or pet food markets.
6. Stock vs. Broth Confusion
   In culinary terms, stocks and broths differ in ingredients and cooking times, but regulatory bodies often treat them interchangeably.
7. High Sodium Levels a Concern
   While bone broths may offer health benefits, high sodium content can be problematic, especially for daily consumption.
8. AAFCO Definitions Are Outdated
   Pet food definitions for broth/stock haven't changed in over 20 years, and don’t yet distinguish bone broth despite market changes.
9. Rare Use of “Stock” in Pet Food
   Pet food products overwhelmingly use the term "broth," even in cases where ingredients or methods align more with traditional stock preparation.
10. Consumer Expectation for Clarity
    As human and pet food trends converge, clearer definitions and regulations for broth, stock, and bone broth are necessary to ensure transparency and consistency.