From Meat to Microbes: The Eco-Conscious Evolution of Pet Food Proteins

Written by BSM Nutrition Services

Most pet owners want to feed their pets the best diet, which is often considered to be a very high-protein diet. As a result, most pet foods are made with a lot of meat. One thing not often considered, however, is the environmental impact of the meat used in pet food. According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) latest survey, 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog, and 46.5 million households own a cat; and if American dogs and cats populated their own country, it would rank fifth in global meat consumption. Due to the significant environmental impact that? raising meat has, pet owners and brands need to factor in how different protein options impact the environment. The good news is that different exciting technological innovations can help address this problem, such as cultured meats and fermentation proteins.??

What are cultured meats and fermentation proteins? They are protein sources that can be grown without relying on any animal production or slaughter. Cultured meats take cells, such as beef or pork, and grow more meat via cell cultures instead of raising cattle or pigs. Fermentation proteins utilize microorganisms’ fermentation abilities to produce proteins that are not animal-based. These alternative proteins are exciting because they do not require the same number of resources as traditional animal agriculture, resulting in lower environmental impact. While these alternative proteins are environmentally friendly options, they are also novel ingredients that we are still learning about. It is recommended that food companies thoroughly study these ingredients and perform actual animal feeding studies with them to utilize these ingredients responsibly.??

Along with the need for further scientific research, regulatory requirements for cultured meats are also in progress. Over the past year, a handful of states have passed legislation relating to the regulation of cultured meats. States like Florida and Alabama have banned the sale and production of cultured meat, while states like Iowa imposed labeling regulations, defining cultured meat as “manufactured-protein food products”, a category which also includes insect- and plant-based protein food products. At the federal level, the USDA and FDA share joint regulatory responsibility for cell-cultured meats. The FDA guides the “pre-harvest” process that all cultured meat manufacturers must complete before product approval, and the USDA is expected to begin proposing cultured meat labeling regulations by the end of 2024.?

With all the moving research and regulatory parts regarding cultured meats, the pet food industry needs to push innovation for safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly options. BSM Partners advocates for the industry to contribute to the scientific knowledge and regulatory dialogue to properly position these ingredients for future use. ?

Contact BSM Partners today to learn more about how we can help your brand navigate complex new trends with confidence.