Faba beans may be the next new legume seed for novel pet diets. The bean is consumed by people and animals around the world. It has become quite popular in the vegan, vegetarian and alternative food markets for humans where it is recognized as a rich source of starch, protein, fiber and vitamins. Given the penchant for novel ingredients in the pet food aisle, it may be a good option if properly verified.
The Vicia faba L (Fabaceae) plant originates from the Middle East and is produced today in Europe, North America and the South Pacific. Depending on region, it may be known by several names including fava bean, horse bean, broad bean, bell bean, English bean, etc. Like other legumes, various parts of the plant may be utilized (e.g., forage for livestock) and at various stages of maturity (raw pods vs. dried beans). The more common and available are the dried mature beans, which are the topic of this article.
