In the production of wet pet food for dogs and cats, it is not only the quality of the raw materials that counts, but also the choice of the right partner. Many companies face the challenge of ensuring stable textures and consistent product quality, but not every supplier of raw materials meets these requirements. This is where MBB and our partnership with a leading carrageenan producer come in – we offer our customers, each of them private label manufacturer of wet food for dogs and cats, not only the best raw materials, but also decades of expertise and support.
The biggest challenges in wet pet food production
In wet pet food production, texture, consistency and stability are critical to product quality. However, many manufacturers struggle with recurring challenges that slow down the production process and affect the quality of their product.
Time and time again, we hear of products that have to be put on hold during production to undergo additional quality control. These products often do not meet the required standards and either have to be destroyed or given to third party partners, which equates to a significant commercial loss. When products have to be rejected or additional thickeners and gelling agents have to be added, the entire production rhythm slows down. As a result, daily production capacity decreases and efficiency suffers.
In addition, there is increasing pressure on manufacturers to meet certain quality standards. In particular, raw materials such as semi-refined carrageenan are currently being regularly reviewed by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) for re-approval. Customers are increasingly asking which raw materials are contained in the products and it is expected that the declaration requirements for hydrocolloids, thickeners and gelling agents in the pet food industry will become even stricter in future.
No real alternative to carrageenan
As far as alternatives are concerned, there are currently no real alternatives to semi-refined Kappa carrageenan that can compete in terms of price, quality and functionality. Although alternative thickeners are constantly being tested, they often do not provide the same stability and consistency. This leads to an increase in the number of diluted products on the market, particularly in phases when prices are rising. These are stretched – for example with too much salt, such as potassium chloride (KCL), or dextrose and then lead to problems such as the literal breakdown of the texture at high temperatures, e.g. during storage or transportation by truck in summer. In jelly and allmeat or paté products in particular, this can lead to the gel losing its firmness and the product containing only a liquid, unsightly mass when the consumer opens it at home.
The right quality of carrageenan is crucial to withstand the heat and ensure a stable texture throughout the whole supply chain. With a high-quality semi-refined carrageenan product, these issues can be better controlled.
The negative effects of unstable textures and inferior raw materials
The risks of unstable textures and inferior raw materials in wet pet food production can be serious. Products whose consistency fluctuates from batch to batch or does not correspond to the usual quality are often the subject of complaints. Either directly on the line by the production employees, if they are experienced and attentive enough, or in the outgoing goods inspection. Or the complaints reach the brand owner of the private label products, e.g. the large specialist retail chains such as Fressnapf or Futterhaus. Due to their market power, they are often not squeamish when it comes to replacing their manufacturers and finding more reliable producers with more stable qualities.
Fluctuating quality and unstable textures can cause considerable damage to the brand image of these large retailers’ own brands. In the worst case, products may even have to be recalled completely. This not only has a massive negative impact on the retailers, but also on the manufacturers behind the private label products. Such recalls are often accompanied by press releases in which the manufacturers concerned are named, which damages the reputation of these companies in the long term. In addition, the pet food industry is a comparatively small sector and bad news travels fast.
More difficult production processes and higher costs: Inefficient alternatives to high-quality carrageenan also have a direct impact on production costs. If products are too unstable or inconsistent, production lines have to be stopped repeatedly, resulting in lower production volumes and therefore lower sales and turnover. These delays also increase storage costs, as more products have to be stored temporarily and require additional labor. Employees have to manually readjust and sort out unstable batches. Inferior raw materials therefore cause additional work, delay the production process and lead to inconsistent production batches. This increases indirect costs enormously.
To name just one example: The ETO scandal in which contaminated hydrocolloids were circulated in the past shows how important it is to rely on reliable professional suppliers. Stable production can only be guaranteed with high-quality and unadulterated raw materials.
How pure carrageenan and the collaboration with MBB stabilize your production
Using pure and high-quality raw materials is the key to stable and efficient production. By working with a reliable supplier like MBB and our carrageenan partner, you can ensure that your production runs more smoothly. Even though semi-refined carrageenan as a natural raw material is subject to certain fluctuations, a pure product allows you to make fine adjustments in production and compensate for these fluctuations in a controlled manner by yourselves.
Since MBB was founded in 1996, leading private label pet food manufacturers in Europe have been working closely with us. They know they can rely on our network for consistent high quality ingredients and partners with the highest standards of service. So they can be sure that in this regard they “keep the head free” for their core business.
Instead of having to struggle with dilutes mixtures of salts, such as potassium chloride (KCL), and dextrose, you know exactly what you are working with when using a pure carrageenan product. This makes it easier to adjust the carrageenan concentration in production, giving you a more consistent and stable texture. This leads to several benefits:
- More stable textures:
Products with pure carrageenan show a much more uniform consistency and are more resistant to heat fluctuations, whether during production or during storage and transportation. - Faster production:
Thanks to the stability of pure carrageenan, fewer products need to be put back or rejected. This speeds up the entire production process, allowing you to produce more per day and get goods to market faster. In addition, more stable production increases product quality, resulting in fewer complaints and recalls. - Improved palatability:
Cats in particular are known to be sensitive to changes in the consistency of their food. Manufacturers who have switched from diluted mixtures to pure carrageenan report clearly positive feedback and improved acceptance. The stable, consistent quality leads to improved sales and more satisfied customers in the long term. - Clear Label:
Pure carrageenan fits perfectly into the trend towards clear labels. Consumers and retailers are increasingly demanding transparency when it comes to ingredient declarations. By working with a supplier like MBB who is transparent about the composition of the raw materials, you can clearly label your products. Not only will you meet current and future requirements, but you will also gain the trust of your customers. - Cost savings by focusing on cost-in-use:
Switching to pure carrageenan also brings long-term cost savings. Although the price per kilo of inferior blends always appears lower at first glance, they ultimately cause higher costs due to production delays, provisions and complaints. Pure carrageenan ensures more stable production and a better cost-in-use, which means that you not only end up with better quality products, but can also produce more cost-efficiently.
Our customers who have made the switched to pure carrageenan consistently experience more stable and efficient production processes.
Start now with MBB – for quality and better control over your production
You too can benefit from the advantages that pure carrageenan and a collaboration with MBB offer you. We guarantee you high-quality, transparent raw materials and stable production that increases your efficiency and saves costs in the long term.
If you are looking for a reliable partner who not only supplies you with first-class raw materials, but also offers many years of experience and extensive knowledge in the pet food industry, MBB is the right address for you. Our cooperation with a leading carrageenan producer guarantees you products of the highest quality and absolute transparency in the supply chain.
Let’s work together to make your production more stable, efficient and successful.
Contact us today to learn more about our solutions for carrageenan and customized premixes. Together, we can ensure that your pet food production remains at the highest level or reaches the next level – for happier customers and increased sales.
