BALATON, MINN. — The trū® Shrimp Companies, Inc., a seafood and biopolymer company that produces premium shrimp products, officially launched its new line of pet food and treat protein ingredients: trū® Protein. The line offers high-protein, low-fat shrimp-based ingredients for use in a variety of pet food and treat formulations.

"trū Protein has always been part of our business plan," said Michael Ziebell, president and chief executive officer of The trū Shrimp Companies. "It joins our consumer trū® Shrimp and medical application trū® Chitosan for a complete and sustainable utilization of every single part of our shrimp. trū Protein is a product of the United States and we not only provide a Certificate of Analysis, but a Certificate of Origin detailing the chain of custody."

According to The trū Shrimp Companies, shrimp offers superior nutritional values to companion animals with high palatability, especially for cats.

"trū Protein is an ingredient I and the industry have been seeking for years," said Charlie Bachkora, president of JAC Pet Nutrition. "The owners of pets are just as conscious of what they are feeding their pets as what they are eating themselves. High protein and extremely low fat, in combination with authentic shrimp flavor, opens the opportunity of shrimp flavored dog and cat food toppers and treats. I am excited to be one of the first companies to include it in our new Superfood Crumbles line of Dog and Cat Food Toppers.”

The pathogen-free protein ingredient line is formulated using ground, raw shrimp and developed using The trū Shrimp Companies’ patented Tidal Basin™ technology, making it a fully traceable ingredient.

"trū Shrimp's pet ingredient line offers pet food and treat manufacturers an excellent source of protein that can be implemented into new and existing products,” said Ben Swason, scientist of food and nutrition at The Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI). “Having worked with the ingredient firsthand while assisting trū Shrimp's efforts, I can say that this their ground shrimp ingredient will be a great addition to any pet food or treat company looking to satisfy their customers need for high quality protein for their pets."

As well as offering significant nutritional benefits, the ingredient also offers sustainability benefits. trū® Protein allows the company to utilize all parts of the shrimp, from the meat itself to the shell and tail.

"trū Protein will afford many branded pet food groups with an additional novel protein source to include into their dog and cat food as well as snacks and treats," said Brad Allen, chief executive officer of Blue Indie Innovations. "Shrimp is the number one consumed seafood by pet parents and there is no reason why it shouldn't be the number one seafood protein used in pet food and treats."

Furthering its commitment to ensuring sustainable products, trū® Protein is also a member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC).

"One of the major points of difference with trū Protein is their affiliation with PSC,” Allen said. “trū Protein follows a very rigid process enabling it to achieve high levels of sustainability and traceability that are second to none.”

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