Novel proteins have been part of many trends conversations over the last several years: Sustainability, functionality, and health and wellness have all had seats at the table of novel protein development. Today’s needs continue to focus on those three topics in ever-more-complex combinations.
“The competitive pet food market demands constant innovation from manufacturers and brands,” said Protix, a supplier providing insect-based ingredient solutions focusing on the black soldier fly. “They need to stay ahead of the curve. In terms of trends, in the pet food segment we are seeing a marked rise in humanization. Doting pet parents see their cats and dogs as valued family members and expect products that treat them accordingly. This goes paw-in-paw with increased interest in pet health, which spans daily diet as well as supplements and treats that promise health and wellness benefits. Concerns about sustainability have also extended to the pet food industry. Consumers want natural products that boast a minimal pawprint. Manufacturers thus face multiple challenges: They need a source of protein or fat that offers health benefits for dogs and cats, maintains palatability and also reduces the footprint of their formulations. The holy grail is an ingredient that can deliver all of this.”
