KANSAS CITY, MO. — With increasing concerns about the long-term availability and sustainability of animal-based proteins for use in pet nutrition, more pet food companies are seeking alternatives to traditional protein ingredients. In an effort to take the pressure off the animal-based protein ingredient supply, pet food formulators are considering a variety of options including novel proteins, such as those sourced from animals not commonly consumed by humans, insect proteins, fermented and cell-cultured protein ingredients.
While all are viable options for use in pet food, the environmental and nutritional benefits can vary from one ingredient to the next, not to mention the acceptability among the pet parents purchasing the pet food products and the pets consuming the food.
Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., founded BioCraft Pet Nutrition in an effort to create an animal-derived protein ingredient that could provide pets with the essential nutrition they required while also lessening the impact on the environment. Her biotech company produces cell-cultured ingredients for the pet food industry.
Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of BioCraft Pet Nutrition.
| Source: BioCraft Pet Nutrition“By including more alternative protein options, the pet food industry can support a more sustainable food system, protect biodiversity, and help ensure a healthier planet for future generations,” Falconer said.
The company started by growing mouse cells inside a bioreactor. The resulting ingredient contains all the protein, fat, vitamins and minerals of traditional meat without having to source the protein directly from the animal agriculture supply chain. BioCraft has also developed a chicken cell line that can be used for pet food. According to Falconer, BioCraft ingredients provide the nutritional and sustainable benefits pet food manufacturers are looking for.
The use of alternative pet food ingredients is one of the many industry topics that will be discussed at the second annual Pet Food Processing Exchange held Oct. 19 to 21 in Kansas City and hosted by Pet Food Processing magazine and parent company Sosland Publishing. During the event, industry experts in the areas of sustainability, animal nutrition, consumer insights, product formulation, packaging, food safety and more will share their knowledge on stage.
On Oct. 21, Falconer will join Rich Kelleman, founder and CEO of Bond Pet Foods, and Adam Mutschler, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Archway Pet Food, at the opening of the second day of the Exchange. The three will discuss alternative protein ingredients and their impact on the future of pet food during the on the event’s “Pet Food of the Future” panel.
Speaking with Pet Food Processing magazine, Falconer shared how the use of alternative proteins, including cell-based options, can provide benefits to both pets and the environment.
Pet Food Processing: Why is it so important for pet food and treat processors to consider alternative sources of proteins for the foods they formulate?
Falconer: There are several reasons why it’s important for pet food manufacturers to consider alternatives to traditional animal-based protein. For example, plant-based, yeast and cell-cultured options offer a more sustainable and environmentally responsible solution compared to traditional animal proteins, helping pet food manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint and conserve natural resources. Such alternative ingredients also provide opportunities to meet the growing consumer demand for ethical, diverse and hypoallergenic pet foods, especially as more pet owners seek options for pets with sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, diversifying protein sources helps mitigate supply chain risks associated with traditional animal proteins, which pet food manufacturers are increasingly being affected by.
PFP: How can alternative proteins, including cell-, plant- and insect-based proteins, help lessen the pet food industry’s impact on the planet?
Falconer: Compared to conventional animal agriculture, the production of alternative protein sources, such as plant-based, yeast and animal cell-based ingredients require significantly less land and water, and generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat climate change and preserve natural habitats. In the specific case of BioCraft, we recently announced results from third-party analysis showing that BioCrafted Meat™ emits one-twelfth of the carbon dioxide of conventional animal byproducts used in pet food. By including more alternative protein options, the pet food industry can support a more sustainable food system, protect biodiversity, and help ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
PFP: What other benefits do these alternative proteins provide?
Falconer: In addition to their environmental advantages, alternative proteins can also support ethical feeding practices by reducing reliance on traditional animal agriculture and providing options for pet owners seeking more humane choices.
Very importantly, alternative proteins can also have impressive safety and nutritional benefits for pets. In particular, BioCrafted Meat™ is naturally free of not only antibiotics, but also pathogenic bacteria — such as Salmonella and E.coli — which are common contaminants in pet food. Additionally, because the nutritional profile of BioCrafted Meat™ is tunable, it’s possible to grow animal cells in conditions that favor more of one nutrient and/or less of another. For instance, while BioCrafted Meat™ has an amino acid profile similar to that of traditional animal protein and it has a superior Omega fatty acid profile to that of conventional meat slurry used in pet food manufacture. This demonstrates that functionality and nutritional value need not be compromised when it comes to alternative protein ingredients; and, in fact, they may even bring superior health benefits to pets than the current options.
PFP: How do pet parents need to be educated on alternative proteins in order to accept them as an ingredient in their pets’ food?
Falconer: Transparency surrounding the manufacturing process, nutritional value and safety of the ingredients are key. Clear communication about how novel ingredients are produced and assessed for their health and safety is the surest way to speak to pet parents — and I say this from the perspective of a pet parent, not an alternative ingredient manufacturer.
Attendees of Pet Food Processing Exchange can learn more about alternative proteins in the pet food industry during the “Pet Food of the Future” panel during the event. Learn more and register for Pet Food Processing Exchange here.
