Freeze-dried pet foods present distinct oxidation risks that demand different antioxidant approaches than traditional extruded products, according to Melissa Weber, Ph.D., director of technical services at Rangen, who will address the rapidly growing category at Petfood Forum 2026, which will be held April 27-29, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Weber will present "Freeze-dried pet foods: Unique oxidation risks and mitigation approaches in this growing category" on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, focusing on oxidative stability challenges in a segment valued for high nutrient retention and clean-label positioning.
Unlike traditional processing methods, freeze drying uses low-temperature dehydration that preserves sensitive nutrients while retaining oxidizable substrates, leaving products susceptible to lipid oxidation without adequate protection. Weber explains that effective oxidation prevention requires proactive stabilization through incorporating antioxidants at the raw material stage, strategic antioxidant selection suited for low-fat, low-moisture environments and oxygen-limiting packaging technologies.
Oxidation control requires format-specific approach
"Oxidation risk in freeze-dried products is fundamentally different from extruded kibble, and antioxidant strategies must be tailored accordingly — there is no one-size-fits-all solution," Weber said.
The distinction matters because freeze-dried pet foods represent one of the fastest-growing segments, driven by premium positioning, minimal processing claims and consumer perception of freshness. However, many oxidation control strategies developed for extruded systems are being applied to freeze-dried products without accounting for differences in processing, fat distribution and moisture.
"As brands push for longer shelf life, cleaner labels, and global distribution, understanding and addressing these differences is essential to protect product quality, safety, and brand trust," Weber said.
For the pet food industry, the concept highlights the need to shift oxidation control upstream — focusing on raw material quality, antioxidant application timing and packaging design rather than finished product fixes. Weber noted that as freeze-dried formats continue scaling, failure to address oxidation risk proactively can lead to inconsistent quality, off-odors, nutrient degradation and consumer dissatisfaction.
"Establishing science-based, format-specific AOX strategies will be critical for sustainable growth in this category," she said.
Future developments focus on targeted antioxidant systems
Weber said her work at Rangen involves partnering with customers across pet food and rendering to design antioxidant solutions that fit real-world manufacturing constraints. Freeze-dried products challenge traditional antioxidant approaches and reinforce the importance of treating risk at the raw material level.
Looking ahead, Weber anticipates several developments shaping the freeze-dried category over the next five years, including greater emphasis on raw-material-specific antioxidant systems with targeted treatment of proteins and fats rather than blanket inclusion. She also expects increased use of synergistic antioxidant systems that balance label preferences with performance, plus more data-driven shelf-life modeling specific to freeze-dried matrices rather than borrowed from extruded systems.
To learn more or view the full educational agenda, visit Petfood Forum.
Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials show dates are April 27-29, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. To register or stay informed on the latest event developments, go to PetfoodForumEvents.com.
