
04/01/2025
Love This
Much better than a hammer is the carefully selected tool used appropriately in order to create something beautiful. The discussion regarding various kill steps should not be "do they work?", but rather "what are we hoping to achieve?"
At Solutions Pet Products, we are not trying to create products that are ONLY safe - we are trying to create products that are safe, optimally nutritious, delicious, and vibrant. The sledgehammer of kill steps ultimately disregards that this is possible, and assumes that something must be sacrificed upon the altar of safety - a conclusion that has time and again been shown to be unsound.
Our journey to create beautiful foods means that we will not be contained within the boxes imposed upon us by "standard practice". We will select the best tools and place them in the hands of skilled craftsmen. The results speak for themselves.
NUTRITIONAL INTEGRITY: A kill step, such as high-pressure pasteurization (HPP), UV treatment, or similar pasteurization processes like cooking (sous vide, steam or oven) can degrade beneficial nutrients and enzymes in raw pet food. These processes aim to eliminate most if not all bacteria, including beneficial microbes that support gut health and immune function. Studies suggest that raw pet foods retain their integrity and health benefits best without extreme sterilization, as active enzymes and natural probiotics are vital for digestion and nutrient absorption.
COMPETITIVE INHIBITION: Competitive inhibition relies on beneficial bacteria, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB), to create an environment that suppresses pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria without eradicating other helpful microbes. Research has shown that LAB, naturally present in fermented ingredients, inhibits pathogens effectively by producing antimicrobial compounds such as organic acids and bacteriocins. This approach aligns with natural food ecosystems and helps maintain a balanced microbiome, promoting pet health without the need for drastic pasteurization type processing steps.
HURDLE TECHNOLOGY: Hurdle technology combines multiple mild preservation techniques, like pasture based livestock sourcing, fermentation, pH control, and natural antimicrobials, to ensure safety while preserving raw food's beneficial properties. By combining hurdles that each inhibit bacterial growth—without relying on a single, harsh intervention—the food can stay closer to its natural state, supporting overall pet health.
ADAPTIVE TOLERANCE: Dogs and cats have digestive systems adapted to handle certain levels of bacteria that would otherwise concern humans. A zero-tolerance policy for pathogens in raw pet food, as enforced by the FDA, does not consider this adaptive tolerance and instead holds raw pet food to standards higher than raw meat intended for human consumption. Allowing beneficial bacteria to remain in the food through non-lethal preservation methods supports pets’ natural microbiota and immunity without posing the same risks as it would in human foods.
NATURAL ANTIMICROBIALS: Ingredients with natural antimicrobial properties, like certain plant compounds, have been shown to inhibit pathogens effectively without eliminating beneficial microbes. For example, compounds from herbs and spices can inhibit bacterial growth while offering antioxidant benefits. Using these natural antimicrobials within hurdle technology ensures safety while maintaining the raw benefits pet owners seek.