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 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.

The family method combines elements of both formulation and feeding trials to substantiate nutritional adequacy claims for pet food products. This approach allows a product to be classified within a “product family” if it is nutritionally equivalent to a “lead product” that has successfully undergone AAFCO feeding trials. By adhering to strict criteria established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), manufacturers can extend a feeding trial-based nutritional adequacy claim from the lead product to other family members, provided they meet specified requirements.

Family Method of Nutritional Substantiation in Pet Food

Interesting News . Nov 21, 2024

The family method combines elements of both formulation and feeding trials to substantiate nutritional adequacy claims for pet food products. This approach allows a product to be classified within a “product family” if it is nutritionally equivalent to a “lead product” that has successfully undergone AAFCO feeding trials. By adhering to strict criteria established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), manufacturers can extend a feeding trial-based nutritional adequacy claim from the lead product to other family members, provided they meet specified requirements.

Criteria for Product Family Qualification

To qualify as a member of a product family under AAFCO standards, each family member must:

Match the Processing Type: The product must have the same processing type as the lead product, such as dry or canned.
Align in Metabolizable Energy: The metabolizable energy (ME) content must be comparable to that of the lead product.
Meet Nutrient Profile Standards: Nutritional analysis of family members must demonstrate alignment with the lead product for key nutrients, including:
- Essential Nutrients for Dogs: Crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, lysine, and thiamine.
- Additional Nutrients for Cats: Potassium and taurine.
Meet AAFCO Nutrient Profile Minimums and Maximums: Family members must meet or exceed the lead product’s nutrient levels or adhere to the AAFCO nutrient profile minimums for all other essential nutrients, and also adhere to AAFCO maximum nutrient limits where applicable.

Types of AAFCO Feeding Trials

Adult Maintenance Trial

Protocol: This trial includes eight animals fed solely on the test food for six months. Animals are examined by a veterinarian at the beginning and end of the trial, with ongoing monitoring for body weight and potential signs of nutrient imbalances.
Laboratory Evaluations: Key health markers, such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin, and whole blood taurine (for cats), are assessed to detect any nutritional deficiencies or excesses.
Benefits: This trial can reveal nutrient deficiencies or other safety issues that may not be evident in formulations alone, although longer-term deficiencies might not be detected in this relatively short trial.

Caloric Content Verification

The calorie content for both the lead product and any family members must be established through an AAFCO-approved metabolizable energy feeding trial. When this requirement is met, family members can carry the same nutritional adequacy statement as the lead product.

However, if the calorie content is derived through calculation rather than feeding trials, the product label must specify:

“(Complete product name) provides complete and balanced nutrition for (life stage) and is comparable in nutritional adequacy to a product that has been substantiated using AAFCO feeding tests.”

Comparison of Family Method with Formulation and Feeding Trials

Aspect	Family Method	Formulation Method	Feeding Trial Method
Cost	Moderate, combining analysis with feeding trial for lead product	Low, based on nutrient analysis only	High, requiring live animal trials
Time	Moderate, depends on feeding trial for lead product	Fastest, does not require live testing	Slow, as feeding trials take weeks to months
Nutrient Bioavailability	Assumed from lead product’s feeding trial	Not tested, relies on ingredient calculations	Directly tested through live trials
Use of Feeding Trial	Required only for lead product, not each family member	Not required	Required for each tested product

Labeling and Nutritional Adequacy Statements for Family Members

Once a product qualifies under the family method, it can carry a nutritional adequacy statement similar to the lead product, indicating it meets AAFCO’s standards for complete and balanced nutrition. For family members validated by calculation, the statement will include a disclaimer that their nutritional adequacy is comparable to that of a product substantiated through feeding tests.

Explore Food Research Lab’s Pet Food Nutritional Testing Services to ensure your product family meets AAFCO’s stringent standards. Our Pet Food Formulation Expertise supports manufacturers in achieving regulatory compliance and delivering nutritionally adequate pet foods across diverse product lines.