Sometimes innovation benefits from rethinking old technologies in new ways. In pet food, gelatin is an old ingredient technology that may facilitate new innovations. It has been commonly dismissed as an ingredient in pet food due to its cost and lack of functionality under the prevailing processing parameters. Specifically, gelatin is a cold-set gelling agent that is thermal reversible with a melting temperature of just under 35˚C; not exactly a sweet spot for pet food processes. However, gelatin is a very consistent quality ingredient with high consumer awareness and a favorable opinion, and is likely in the pet owner's pantry already. While gelatin may not have worked in years past, modern pet foods may need some of its unique properties today.
