WIGRAM, NEW ZEALAND — Gourmate, a New Zealand-based pet treat manufacturer, announced July 27 it had achieved B Corporation status. According to the company, it is the country’s first B Corp-certified pet food company.

Since its launch in 2020, woman-owned Gourmate has dedicated its business practices to pets, people and the planet. The company uses locally sourced, sustainable ingredients to formulate its products and packages its products in recyclable materials to reduce packaging waste. Through its Gourmate Giving initiative, the company donates portions of its annual profit to local animal welfare projects to further support pets.

“For us, B Corp certification is recognition of our commitment to the welfare of people, the planet and our pets,” said Stephanie Mearns, co-founder of Gourmate. “We had to investigate, check and prove everything from our Mussel's organic status to how much our contractors pay themselves to ensure they receive a living wage.”

Gourmate uses organic Green Lipped Mussel in its treat formulations. (Source: Gourmate)

Currently, the company’s treat products include Alpine Freshwater Salmon, Organic Green Lipped Mussels, Wild Cuagth Calamari, Gress Fed Beef Liver and South Pacific Hoki, all of which are made from restaurant-grade meats and seafoods.

A business must score at least 80 points out of 200 throughout a range of business categories, including social and environmental performance, to become B Corp certified. According to Gourmate, the median score for companies looking to become a B Corp is 51. Gourmate achieved a score of 88.9.

“We are very proud to have achieved this milestone and joined the ranks of some of our favorite Kiwi B Corps, such as Ethique and Allbirds, as well as amazing global pet businesses like West Paw,” Mearns said.

Read more about sustainability efforts in the pet food and treat industry.