The pet food industry is booming — especially for wet pet food, moist and canned pet food. By 2028, the industry will reach over $40 billion for this premium food.
The production of wet pet food can be a complex and challenging process that requires careful attention to detail.
To ensure the safety, quality, and nutritional value of the final product, manufacturers must be able to understand and overcome the challenges associated with the production of this type of pet food.
There are five key challenges that manufacturers must overcome when producing wet pet food:
Challenge #1: Consistency
Achieving a consistent texture and consistency in wet pet food can be a challenge due to the use of natural ingredients that can vary in their moisture content.
Manufacturers must ensure that each batch of wet pet food has the same texture, moisture, and nutritional content as previous batches. This can be achieved through careful formulation, precise processing, and standardized packaging.
Challenge #2: Preservation:
The preservation of wet pet food is critical to maintaining its freshness and nutritional value. This can be challenging due to the high moisture content, which makes it more susceptible to bacterial growth and spoilage.
Manufacturers use a variety of preservation techniques, such as airtight packaging, refrigeration, and the use of natural preservatives like vitamin E and C.
Challenge #3: Safety
Wet pet food manufacturing must adhere to strict safety standards to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of pets. This requires rigorous testing of raw materials, as well as quality control measures throughout the production process.
Manufacturers must also be aware of potential hazards, such as the presence of mycotoxins in grains or bacterial contamination during processing.
Challenge #4: Nutritional value
Achieving the right balance of nutrients in wet pet food is essential for ensuring that pets receive a healthy diet.
Manufacturers must carefully formulate their recipes to provide the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. Using high-quality, natural ingredients is also important in achieving optimal nutrition in wet pet food.
Challenge #5: Cost
Manufacturing wet pet food can be more expensive than dry food due to the added costs of ingredients, packaging, preservation, and processing. This can be a significant challenge for manufacturers, as they must balance the cost of production with the price that consumers are willing to pay.
Finding cost-effective ways to produce high-quality wet pet food is an ongoing challenge for the industry.
Overcoming Complexity to Scale
Producing wet pet food may be complex, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. This is a booming market with a lot more growth in it.
EPIC is your expert resource for overcoming all wet pet food challenges. To start your journey to efficient wet pet food production, fill out a quick form here.
