Preservatives

Synthetic preservatives in my pet’s food — no thanks!

The revolt against synthetic preservatives and what we miss.

April 11, 2019

Pet owners and pet food companies may not realize what is missing when it comes to removing synthetic preservatives in pet food.

Organic acid cultures provide opportunity for natural mold inhibition

October 14, 2015

Greg Aldrich, PhD

Recent adaptation of old technology with organic acids in various “cultures” may provide a path forward to avoid mold production and thus produce longer term shelf-stable foods.

Lecithin: Emulsifier and more

Typically used at less than 2%, this petfood ingredient has the potential for more

October 8, 2013

Greg Aldrich, PhD

Lecithin is an ingredient that we see periodically on petfood labels, most commonly on canned foods. It is included for a "functional food" purpose but has some nutritional benefits, as well.

Lactic acid: magic bullet for petfood safety?

Natural, label friendly and well liked by cats and dogs, lactic acid is relatively easy to incorporate into pet diets for controlling microbial growth

June 11, 2012

Greg Aldrich, PhD

With the advent of the Food Safety Modernization Act, manufacturers of extruded and baked petfood and pet treats feel like they have their necks under a knife’s edge. To some, that may seem overly dramatic, especially given the blade at their neck is held by the smallest of creatures: Salmonella.

Sodium bisulfate: multipurpose petfood ingredient

Though not nutritional, this functional food additive offers other significant benefits, especially for cats

April 11, 2012

Greg Aldrich, PhD

In the world of petfood manufacturing, some ingredients are used that are not nutritional, by intent. Rather, their purpose is to enhance the nutritional value, flavor or stability of the food. Sodium bisulfate is just such a functional food additive that one might find in petfoods, especially cat diets.

Rosemary extract acts as natural antioxidant

This common ingredient is most effective in dry petfoods that use high levels of polyunsaturated fats and marine oils.

August 9, 2010

Greg Aldrich, PhD

Rosemary extract is a common ingredient found on dry petfood labels, typically at or near the bottom of the ingredient listing. While rosemary extract is generally viewed with favor by pet owners, it doesn’t provide nutritional fortification, it doesn’t provide medicinal support for any specific ailment, nor does it enhance the taste appeal of the food (for pets).

Citric acid suffers from misperceptions and misplaced blame

Internet claims have led some pet owners to doubt the safety and utility of this natural functional ingredient

July 12, 2010

Greg Aldrich, PhD

In petfood, citric acid is a common additive used mostly in the fat preservative (antioxidant) system. Food and nutrition experts consider this ingredient a natural functional compound, which, at its worst, is benign to pet health and wellness. However, increasingly pervasive internet claims have led some pet owners to doubt its safety and utility.

Mold inhibitor of choice

Potassium sorbate is safe, effective and one of the more popular ingredients for battling mold

June 8, 2009

Greg Aldrich, PhD

Preventing the appearance of mold in foods is a constant battle, and petfoods are no exception. Everyone has experienced the gray-green mold on bread or splotches on cheese; with petfoods, many have had an encounter with "fuzzy" biscuits or green kibbles.

Does adding enzymes to petfoods help digestion?

Enzymes hold a great deal of promise but also present challenges

February 28, 2008

Greg Aldrich, PhD

Adding enzymes to the diet to aid digestion has been a source of intrigue for the petfood industry for a number of years. Enzymes (for example, digests and hydrolyzed proteins) are common in petfood production but are seldom found as ingredients in the diet.