Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab (FRL) takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

Beyond the primary nutrients, pet foods often contain ingredients aimed at enhancing palatability, aroma, and appearance. In the example ingredient list, the remaining ingredients—animal digest, garlic oil, and coloring agents (Red 40 and Yellow 5)—each serve specific purposes in making the food more appealing. Here, we break down these ingredients and address their roles in pet food.

Additional Ingredients in Dog Food: Understanding Animal Digest, Garlic Oil, and Coloring Agents

Interesting News . Nov 21, 2024

Beyond the primary nutrients, pet foods often contain ingredients aimed at enhancing palatability, aroma, and appearance. In the example ingredient list, the remaining ingredients—animal digest, garlic oil, and coloring agents (Red 40 and Yellow 5)—each serve specific purposes in making the food more appealing. Here, we break down these ingredients and address their roles in pet food.

What is animal digest, and why is it used in dog food?

Animal digest is an ingredient that enhances the flavor and aroma of pet food, making it more appetizing to pets. According to AAFCO, animal digest is created through enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of animal tissues, typically using ingredients like liver or washed chicken organs due to their high enzymatic activity. This process breaks down proteins and fats, releasing free amino acids and fatty acids that pets find highly palatable.

How It’s Used: The digest is heated to halt the enzymatic activity and ensure it is sterile. It can be applied as a liquid or spray-dried powder to coat the exterior of kibble, increasing its flavor appeal. Animal digest is comparable to “giblet gravy” in that it enhances taste and aroma, enticing pets to eat.

Why is garlic oil included in pet food, and is it safe?

Garlic oil is added in minimal amounts to enhance flavor and aroma. Although garlic in large amounts can be harmful to dogs, the very low level used in pet food formulations is carefully controlled to be safe and effective. In fact, the amount of garlic oil is so small that it’s typically included at a lower concentration than many trace nutrients, such as copper proteinate.

Role in Pet Food: The garlic oil acts as a palatant—an ingredient that boosts the flavor profile—making the food more enjoyable for pets. Its inclusion, along with fat and animal digest, enhances the overall palatability of the product.

What purpose do coloring agents serve in dog food?

Coloring agents, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5, are used in pet food primarily for visual appeal to pet owners. These dyes are not nutrients and do not impact the pet’s health directly, but they give the food a color that may be more appealing to the buyer. Pet owners often prefer food that looks attractive, as it influences their perception of the product’s quality.

Types of Coloring

Safety: All colors approved for pet food use are evaluated for safety. Although some pet owners prefer foods without artificial colors, others appreciate the added visual appeal, and manufacturers use the lowest effective level of dye to achieve the desired color.

Summary of Additional Ingredients in Pet Food

Ingredient	Function	Details
Animal Digest	Flavor enhancer to increase palatability.	Created by enzymatic hydrolysis of organ meats; comparable to gravy.
Garlic Oil	Palatant for added flavor and aroma.	Used in very low, safe quantities; enhances overall flavor profile.
Coloring Agents	Adds visual appeal for pet owners.	Includes Red 40 and Yellow 5; minimal amount used for desired color.

For more insights into pet food formulation and ingredient selection, explore Food Research Lab’s Pet Nutrition Services. At FRL, we work with manufacturers to create high-quality, safe, and appealing pet foods that cater to the preferences of both pets and their owners.