{"id":22568,"date":"2020-06-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiperbaric.com\/2020\/06\/18\/facts-and-myths-of-hpp-pet-food-guidance-for-the-industry\/"},"modified":"2020-11-18T14:47:07","modified_gmt":"2020-11-18T13:47:07","slug":"facts-and-myths-of-hpp-pet-food-guidance-for-the-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiperbaric.com\/en\/facts-and-myths-of-hpp-pet-food-guidance-for-the-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Facts and Myths of HPP Pet Food, guidance for the industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pet diets based on raw meat ha<\/strong>ve<\/strong>\u00a0been increasing<\/strong>ly<\/strong>\u00a0perceive<\/strong>d<\/strong>\u00a0as healthier<\/strong> than kibble or canned food. However, it must be noted that <\/strong>raw pet food <\/strong>poses a health risk for both\u00a0<\/strong>pets<\/strong> and humans, <\/strong>as<\/strong>\u00a0it can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria<\/strong>. HPP is an excellent method to control food-borne pathogens with minimal impact <\/strong>on<\/strong>\u00a0the nutritional composition of the food. Still,\u00a0<\/strong>many myths surround HPP pet food, such as degradation of nutrients, inactivation of enzymes, or inefficient control of pathogens.\u00a0<\/strong>Read more to discover<\/strong>\u00a0some facts and myths about HPP pet food.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n

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Is there a risk of raw pet food being unsafe for pets and pet owners?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Diets such as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) based in raw meat products present several benefits, such as improved nutrition, healthier\/regular digestion, cleaner teeth, shinier coat and relief from food allergies\/sensitivities. However, raw pet food poses a health risk for both animals and humans since it can be contaminated with food-borne pathogens.<\/p>\n

The meat or muscle of a dead animal is sterile but susceptible to cross-contamination by E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes<\/em> and other pathogens during slaughter and\/or other operations (i. e. grinding) if it gets in touch with other organs or contacts with contaminated surfaces.<\/p>\n

In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) conducted a study that comprised over 1,000 samples, reporting that Salmonella<\/em> and Listeria monocytogenes<\/em> were more prevalent in raw pet food (present in c.a. 16% of the tested food) than other forms of foods. In addition to bacteria, raw meat may present viruses or parasites such as worms, that may not be visible or barely visible to the human eye.<\/p>\n

Although pets can be more tolerant to some bacteria, they are not completely immune. Furthermore, food-borne pathogen transmission from pet to owner is possible through the pet\u2019s mouth, fur, skin, or any body part that comes in contact with contaminated saliva or feces. Additionally, the owner may inadvertently spread pathogens through kitchen surfaces or appliances by handling the raw pet food, risking cross-contamination if not properly sanitized.<\/p>\n

It is for these reasons that both the Center for Control Disease (CDC) and the FDA have shared multiple resources to communicate consumers about the risk associated with unprocessed meat diets. Pet food processors also jeopardize pet and pet owner safety, along with brand trust and economic losses, if the potential presence of pathogens in pet food mandates a recall.<\/p>\n

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What is HPP?<\/span><\/h4>\n

High pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal food processing technology applied to minimize the risk associated with food-borne pathogens. The technology uses cold water (4-25 \u00b0C; 40-75 \u00b0F) to generate pressure (up to 87 kpsi, equivalent to 6000 bar), which allows foods to retain chemical compounds providing nutrients and the sensory experience to consumers. The following video, Hiperbaric High Pressure Processing In-Pack<\/a>\u00a0provides additional information and illustrates how industrial HPP units operate. The Hiperbaric Customer YouTube Channel<\/a> shares success stories of HPP users processing meats and other food products.<\/p>\n

Which pet food companies are using HPP?<\/span><\/h4>\n

HPP pet food has earned the trust and acceptance of pet owners and pets, making pet food companies more confident in switching to HPP. The graphic below enlists the logos and links of pet food companies using HPP. These companies publicly share the benefits of HPP, and have performed their independent studies to back up the science behind HPP. Click on their logos to visit their websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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For example, the “Steve’s Real Food’s Study of High-Pressure Processing on Raw Meat Diets”<\/a> reports the effects of HPP on 95 vitamins, proteins, essential amino acids, fats, and fiber. The results showed that HPP did not alter the concentration of the analyzed components, as the change percentage remained between \u20131% and 1%. Only 4 out of the 95 tested components presented a notable concentration decrease following HPP. In this regard, Steve\u2019s Real Food states on their website:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have updated the formulas as follows to ensure that in the HPP formula these vitamins are met in abundance above the AAFCO minimums.<\/strong><\/p>\n