According to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, a total of 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. With a subsequent increase in the demand for pet food, suppliers of such are attempting to scale their business accordingly. Cold storage is imperative when maintaining the quality of the product, be it raw or dry.
Dry Food
Dry food is a popular and cost-effective option for pet owners to feed their furry friends. A fear for pet food suppliers is keeping storage mites away. Storage mites are microscopic arthropods, which are attracted to dry foods, grains and cereals. Once these have infested the food, it is very difficult to eradicate.
The storage mite’s body, as well as its faeces, can trigger an allergic reaction in a dog causing atopic dermatitis. Storage mites can be controlled by exposing them to temperatures below -18°C for at least 5 hours.
Raw Foods
A raw food diet for pets, commonly referred to as a ‘BARF’ diet, is gaining popularity amongst pet owners. The BARF diet, according to experts, displays key benefits such as:
- Better coat condition
- Better dental hygiene
- Improves muscle tone
The average-sized dog (20kg), would typically eat around 500g of raw food a day, which, compared to the average human who practices a carnivore diet, is quite substantial.
Not only are raw pet food producers and suppliers faced with the issue of scalability, but they also must ensure they comply with the regulations and standards for temperature control set within the raw food industry. Meat that is inedible for humans must be stored and prepared separately for human food consumption to avoid contamination.
CRS Cold Storage
CRS Cold Storage is ready to meet the needs of the pet food industry with our versatile and customisable range, ensuring the direct needs of clients are best met.
Get in touch with CRS today to discuss how cold storage can greatly improve the efficiency of your storage capabilities whilst retaining the quality of your produce.
