ACHESON, ALBERTA — Champion Petfoods launched its latest line of ACANA freeze-dried dog food and high-protein biscuits in the Canadian market yesterday, along with a third new product: ACANA Healthy Grains dry dog food.

ACANA Healthy Grains incorporates ancient grain ingredients including sorghum, millet and oats to offer higher fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals compared to more common grains such as wheat and rice. These grains are paired with high-quality animal proteins to create four dry kibble formulas.

The Puppy Recipe includes free-run chicken and turkey proteins, care-free eggs and wild caught herring. The second formula, Large Breed Recipe, features free-run chicken and turkey proteins and cage-free eggs. The Ranch-Raised Red Meat Recipe includes ranch-raised beef and farm-raised pork, and the Free-Run Poultry Recipe features free-run chicken and turkey and cage-free eggs.

"We're constantly talking to pet lovers about what ingredients they want to see in their pet's food," said James Burns, director of marketing at Champion Petfoods Canada. "It comes down to high quality; if the ingredient list looks good enough for them to eat as a human, then it's good enough for their pet. That's why at Champion Petfoods, we looked for healthy grains, high protein and simple ingredients that read like a pet lover's own recipes."

All new products appear under Champion’s ACANA line. The Freeze-Dried Food and High-Protein Biscuits are manufactured at the company’s DogStar Kitchen in Auburn, Ky. The new Healthy Grains dog food is made at its NorthStar Kitchen in Alberta.

"We know where ingredients are sourced and where pet food is being prepared matters to pet lovers," said Dr. Darcia Kostiuk, senior veterinarian at Champion Petfoods. "Our kitchen in Alberta is one of the most advanced in the industry; built specifically for our unique recipes that take advantage of the inclusion of fresh and raw ingredients."

ACANA Healthy Grains, High-Protein Biscuits and Freeze-Dried Food are available at in-store retail and online throughout Canada, starting February 2021.

Champion clarified that their free-run chicken and turkey ingredients are raised without cages and live freely in a barn without outdoor access — which characterizes the term “free-run” under Canada’s poultry industry standards — after resolving a labelling lawsuit filed by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), which alleged the company’s use of “free-run” could be misleading to consumers in the United States.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.