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.

At Food Research Lab (FRL), we follow the recognized feeding trial protocols established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to support nutritional adequacy claims for pet food. Feeding trials are regarded as the gold standard for substantiating nutritional adequacy, offering reliable insights into how well a product supports various life stages in pets, including gestation, lactation, growth, and maintenance.

Feeding Trials for Pet Food Nutrition: Ensuring Nutritional Adequacy at Food Research Lab (FRL)

Interesting News . Nov 21, 2024

At Food Research Lab (FRL), we follow the recognized feeding trial protocols established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to support nutritional adequacy claims for pet food. Feeding trials are regarded as the gold standard for substantiating nutritional adequacy, offering reliable insights into how well a product supports various life stages in pets, including gestation, lactation, growth, and maintenance.

AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocols for Nutritional Adequacy

Feeding trials are essential for verifying that pet foods provide complete and balanced nutrition for specific life stages. A food that successfully completes trials for gestation and lactation, followed by a growth trial for offspring, can be labeled as suitable for “all life stages.” According to AAFCO guidelines, the statement for products that meet these standards reads:

“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (product name) provides complete and balanced nutrition for (specific life stage).”

Including the term “animal feeding tests” distinguishes this approach from formulations that merely aim to meet nutrient requirements without actual testing

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.

2. Growth Trial

3. Gestation/Lactation Trial

Protocol: This trial examines the food’s adequacy in supporting pregnant and nursing animals, observing outcomes like litter size, survivability, and overall health.
Claim for All Life Stages: A successful gestation/lactation trial, followed by a growth trial for offspring, enables the product to claim suitability for “all life stages,” a valuable designation in the pet food market.

Addressing Manufacturing Challenges with Postbiotics

For pet food processors, live probiotics pose viability challenges due to high-temperature processes like extrusion. Postbiotics, as inanimate forms of beneficial bacteria, provide a solution without compromising pet health benefits. By choosing postbiotics, pet food manufacturers can avoid costly modifications in processing to accommodate live strains, making production smoother while maintaining the functional benefits of probiotics.

Benefits of FRL’s Feeding Trials Over Formulation-Only Methods

While formulation-based methods meet basic nutrient requirements, feeding trials provide real-world data on the food’s performance and safety when consumed over time. This approach allows FRL to detect nutrient imbalances, potential toxicity, and unforeseen safety concerns that may not be identified in laboratory settings alone.

Partner with FRL for Pet Food Nutritional Testing

By leveraging AAFCO-compliant Feeding Trials, Growth Protocols, and Gestation/Lactation Testing, FRL helps pet food manufacturers validate the nutritional adequacy and safety of their products. With FRL’s scientific rigor and commitment to quality, you can confidently bring pet food products to market, knowing they meet the highest standards for safety and nutritional balance.