Webinar: Feeding Pets Like Family: Challenges in Emerging Pet Food Trends

The pet food market has evolved far beyond traditional kibble and canned food. Today's consumers increasingly demand diets for their pets to mirror their own preferences, with trends such as freeze-dried and raw food leading the way. But what does "quality" truly entail in this rapidly evolving sector, and how can pet food brands effectively showcase it? Whether launching new products or expanding existing lines, pet food manufacturers face challenges around quality assurance, safety compliance and regulatory navigation. Join our expert speakers, Jennifer Lott, Technical Development Director at SGS North America; Kaiti Valm, Program Manager at SGS Nutrasource; and Jessica Dyszel, Partner at House Richter, as they delve into the latest trends, consumer expectations and proven strategies to demonstrate quality and compliance. Don't miss this chance to stay ahead of the pack!

Learning Points:
1. Emerging Trends in Pet Food: Navigating the consumer shift toward freeze-dried, raw diets and other innovative products.
2. Consumer Insights and Market Drivers: Discovering what today's pet owners truly prioritize when selecting pet foods.
3. Risk Management Essentials: Addressing microbiological testing, food safety measures, and regulatory compliance.
4. Defining and Demonstrating Quality: Leveraging transparency, responsible ingredient sourcing and certifications to differentiate your brand.

This webinar is sponsored by SGS and presented by Petfood Industry.

Speaker Information:

Jennifer Lott, Technical Development Director, SGS North America

Jennifer Lott is the Technical Development Director - Food at SGS North America, and she is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed. Jennifer specializes in Food and Product Safety Management Systems with particular expertise in all things associated with certification, including training and project management. Jennifer has a commitment to excellence, a positive can-do attitude, and is always looking for opportunities to develop solutions to meet the needs of clients. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, volunteering, creating new recipes from leftovers, and spending time with her family.

Kaiti Valm is Program Manager, Nonclinical and Animal Health Services with SGS Nutrasource/GRAS Associates

Kaiti Valm is Program Manager, Nonclinical and Animal Health Services with SGS Nutrasource/GRAS Associates. She supports clients with GRAS and other regulatory filings, as well as safety and efficacy studies and brings over seven years of experience in nonclinical research and education in business, zoology, and veterinary medicine.

Jessica Dyszel, Partner at House Richter

Jessica Dyszel is a microbiologist who has spent her career working with food and pet food companies to understand test methods, developing research projects, and evaluate novel foods and processes for microbiological risk. She joined House Richter in 2025 and enjoys working with clients and making science more accessible.