eBeam technology, an FDA-approved irradiation method, significantly reduces pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli in raw pet food without compromising nutritional content, according to a peer-reviewed Texas A&M study showing it is up to 100 times more effective than standard high-pressure processing.
- eBeam efficacy: Achieved pathogen reduction up to 100 times greater than industry-standard high-pressure processing (HPP)
- Pathogens reduced: Significant reductions in Salmonella and Listeria while maintaining nutritional profiles
- FDA approval: eBeam has been regulated by the FDA for over 40 years and used in 60+ countries
- Application method: Applied without heat to sealed products as the last manufacturing step, preserving raw nutrition
- Peer-reviewed validation: Study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, making Vital Essentials the first raw pet food company with independently validated efficacy at this level
Carnivore Meat Co., maker of Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw pet food and treats, has launched the Vital Essentials Promise, a transparency initiative outlining how its products are made, the standards behind them and the steps the company takes to support safety and nutrition. The company first unveiled the initiative at SuperZoo.
The launch coincides with the publication of peer-reviewed research from Texas A&M University examining the company’s use of electron beam (eBeam) technology on Vital Essentials products. As part of the initiative, the company is providing information about eBeam, a form of FDA-approved irradiation it uses to reduce pathogens in raw pet food and treats.
“Pet parents are asking more questions about where their pet’s food comes from, how it’s made and what companies are doing to keep it safe,” said Heather Govea, CEO of Carnivore Meat Co. “We believe food safety should not be proprietary, and the Vital Essentials Promise is our commitment to sharing more about the science, investments and processes behind our products so pet parents can feel confident about what they’re feeding.”
eBeam technology
According to the company, eBeam has been regulated by the FDA for more than 40 years and is used in more than 60 countries. The technology uses high-energy electrons to reduce pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli and is used in human food production on products including spices, produce, meat and seafood. Because eBeam is applied without heat to sealed products as the last step in manufacturing, the company said it reduces pathogens without significantly altering nutritional content.
“We don’t believe pet parents should have to choose between raw nutrition and food safety,” said Lindsay Meyers, vice president of technical services at Carnivore Meat Co. “Our responsibility is to keep looking for ways to improve, follow the science and make decisions that support both.”
Texas A&M partnership
Carnivore Meat Co. partnered with Texas A&M to validate its food safety program using products from its own portfolio. The research found significant reductions in Salmonella and Listeria while maintaining the nutritional profile required for a complete and balanced raw diet. Under the conditions evaluated, eBeam achieved pathogen reduction efficacy up to 100 times greater than industry-standard high-pressure processing (HPP) doses, according to the company.
The company said the study makes it the first raw pet food company to have a kill step independently validated in a peer-reviewed journal at that level of efficacy. The study is available in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
The company said the announcement comes as interest in minimally processed pet food grows and consumers seek more transparency around ingredient sourcing, manufacturing practices and food safety standards.
The Vital Essentials Promise centers on four pillars: ingredient traceability, manufacturing processes, food safety standards and the company’s decades of experience in the pet industry. The company said the initiative is intended to help retailers and pet owners better understand the products they feed.
More information about the Vital Essentials Promise and the company’s food safety program is available at VitalEssentials.com.
