Pet food – Extending the shelf life of canned food: Storing dog food correctly
Whether dry food or wet food, the correct storage of dog food and co. makes food last longer. We take a closer look at the topic of “Pet food – shelf life of canned food” …
Pets are more popular than ever. 34 million Germans alone have one, most of them four-legged friends. Pet food plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of animals. Whether dogs, cats or other pets – a balanced diet is essential. It should contain all the necessary nutrients to ensure the vitality and quality of life of the animals. The pet food market is now huge, with a variety of options ranging from dry food to wet food.
A well-planned diet can help prevent various health problems:
- Healthy growth: Particularly important for younger animals.
- Strengthening the immune system: A nutritious diet helps to ward off illness.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Avoids obesity and its consequences.
Storing pet food correctly – Storing wet food
The shelf life of canned food is another important issue when it comes to feeding animals. Many pet food products are available in cans and offer a practical way of storing food. Canned pet food can often be edible even after the best-before date has expired. There are a few important points to bear in mind:
- Undamaged cans: These often keep for many years as long as they are not bloated or damaged.
- Storage conditions: A cool, dry environment extends the shelf life. A cellar temperature below 19 degrees Celsius is ideal.
- Sight and smell test: Before feeding, owners should check the contents. If the food looks or smells different, it should be discarded. The correct handling and storage of canned food is crucial to ensure the health of the animals.
Preservation methods for pet food
Due to the ingredients and preservatives in pet food, it is good to know the different preservation methods. These tried and tested methods are essential to ensure that food remains fresh and safe for all pets.
Sterilization
Sterilization is a proven method for preserving pet food, especially wet food. The food is heated at high temperatures to kill all microorganisms and thus extend its shelf life.
How does it work?
- The feed is filled into cans or containers immediately after production.
- This is followed by heating, which ensures that bacteria, yeasts and molds can no longer grow.
Advantages:
- Long shelf life without additional preservatives.
- The nutritional value is generally well preserved as the high temperatures are only applied for a short time.
This method is particularly popular in the production of canned food, which is available at any well-stocked pet supply store. Pet food manufacturers are aware of the importance of these methods.
Pet food – Shelf life canned food: Vacuum sealing
Another effective approach to preserving pet food is vacuum sealing. This technique seals the food in an airtight container, reducing the amount of oxygen that can cause bacteria and oxidation.
Advantages of vacuum sealing:
Extended shelf life: The reduced oxygen content slows down the growth of bacteria and mold.
Preservation of flavor: The food stays fresh and retains its flavors as it does not come into contact with oxygen.
Application examples: Dry food can be sold in vacuum packs to ensure quality until the pack is opened.
This method is also common for pet treats to ensure their freshness.
The combination of these preservation methods plays a key role in ensuring the quality and longevity of pet food, so that pet owners can always offer their pets healthy and tasty options.
Factors that influence the shelf life of pet food
It is best to store dog food in a cool place
Storage tips: The correct storage of pet food is crucial for its shelf life. Various factors can significantly affect the quality and freshness of the food. One of the most common causes of loss of quality is improper storage. Here are some tips for correct storage:
- Dry and cool: Dry food should be stored in a cool, dry place to ensure that the nutrients are retained. Moisture can lead to mold growth, which is harmful to both animals and humans. A few degrees below room temperature is better – a clear advantage for a long shelf life.
- Seal airtight: Open bags should always be sealed airtight to minimize contact with oxygen. A simple kitchen clip can work wonders here. This can also preserve the aromas.
- Observe temperature: Depending on the moisture content and the addition of preservatives – wet food should also be kept in a cool place and once opened, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This prevents the loss of nutrients. In general, however, animals should never be served food straight from the fridge, as this can cause digestive problems in sensitive pets. For this reason, pet owners should preferably bring food to room temperature a few minutes before feeding and only then put it in the bowl – neither too hot nor too cold.
It is important that pet owners adjust the storage conditions to ensure the best possible quality of the food. This way, the food can be enjoyed properly and for a long time.
Packaging materials
The choice of packaging materials plays just as important a role as the storage conditions. High quality materials can help keep the food fresh for longer. Some common packaging materials are:
Cans: Canned food, usually classic metal cans, offer excellent protection against light, moisture and oxygen and can be kept for many years after the best-before date, provided they are undamaged. Canned food is widely used and allows easy storage of the food. Like many foods, it is often stored in a cool place, such as the pantry.
Vacuum-sealed bags: These are particularly effective at preserving the freshness of dry food as they minimize air contact.
Plastic or glass containers: After opening wet food, these containers should be used to store the food safely and prevent the ingress of air and moisture.
By paying attention to proper storage and the packaging materials used, the shelf life and quality of pet food can be significantly extended, which is very important for both the health of the animals and the satisfaction of the pet owners.
Important when choosing food: best-before date vs. expiry date
Differences and significance
The best-before date (BBD) and the use-by date are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. The best-before date indicates until when a product will retain its specific properties if stored properly. This means that a product can still be consumed after the best-before date as long as it does not show any visual or odor changes. In contrast, the expiry date means that a food product should no longer be consumed after this date. Food with an expiry date poses a higher health risk, as the safety of consumption is no longer guaranteed.
Unterschied:
- Best before date: As a guide to quality and taste; products are often still edible after this date.
- Expiry date: safety limit for consumption; products should not be eaten after this date.
Producers can rely on KORIMAT’s high quality standards. Our appliances guarantee maximum safety and efficiency in the preservation of pet food.
Effects on edibility: What else you should consider when storing dry food
The different dates have a direct impact on the edibility of food and pet food. Many people tend to dispose of products as soon as the best-before date has passed without checking the actual quality. A practical example: A dog owner still has food that is past its best-before date. A simple visual and olfactory inspection would enable him to test the food and finally determine whether it is still good: Does the food still look good and, above all, does it smell normal? This questioning of the throw-away mentality can not only save money, but also help to reduce food waste. However, caution is advised. As a rule, dry food can be stored for a long time – unlike opened cans, for example – if it is protected from moisture. Storing the food correctly, even over a longer period of time, is crucial.
Test methods:
- Odor test: Does the product smell unpleasant or different than usual?
- Appearance: Are there any visible areas of mold or discoloration?
- Consistency: Does the product have a disturbing texture?
By using products more consciously, we can not only conserve resources but also protect the environment.
Correct storage: Pet food – Shelf life of canned food … Quality control and safety standards
There is no question that the quality and safety of canned pet food must be guaranteed. This not only ensures the well-being of the animals, but also the confidence of pet owners in the products they buy. There are many aspects to consider in this regard, including the certifications and labels that can be found on the packaging.
Certifications and labels
Certifications are a clear sign that the canned pet food has passed strict testing standards. The most common certifications include
IFS (International Featured Standards): This certification relates to food safety and quality.
BRC (British Retail Consortium): Provides a globally recognized safety standard for the food industry.
Organic seal: Proves that the ingredients used come from organic farming.
These labels are not only confidence-building, but also provide a degree of reassurance for pet owners. Choosing products with such certificates can help to ensure the health and well-being of pets.
Legal regulations and guidelines (pet food – shelf life of canned food)
In Germany, the pet food industry is subject to strict legal regulations. These include, among other things
EU regulations on food safety: These define the requirements for the quality and traceability of ingredients.
Animal Welfare Act: stipulates that only healthy and species-appropriate ingredients may be used.
Food law regulations: Ensure that the products do not contain any hazardous substances or contaminants.
It is important for pet owners to read the labels and choose products from reputable manufacturers. These regulations ensure that canned pet food is not only tasty, but also safe for our beloved pets. The combination of certifications, legal requirements and proper storage helps to ensure that canned pet food is of the highest quality, safe and free of contaminants.
Healthy pet food starts with high-quality, sterilized ingredients
High-quality pet food is the be-all and end-all for a successful human-animal relationship. Good dog food, for example, should contain between 50 and 70 % high-quality meat. For a balanced diet, the proportion of vegetables should not be underestimated either: At least 30% of a premium dog food should consist of fresh vegetables.
The plant-based ingredients provide essential vitamins. They also contain important carbohydrates, fiber and micronutrients to maintain your pet’s health. At KORIMAT, we are committed to promoting the quality and safety of pet food. Our autoclaves are indispensable for the production of high-quality pet food. The ingredients are sterilized, thus optimally preserving taste and nutrients.
Versatility in sterilization with our autoclaves makes many things possible: pet food in different packaging – whether cans, jars, aluminium trays, casings and much more. Our appliances can sterilize these different types of packaging efficiently and safely. For the protection and shelf life of your products.
Trust us when it comes to pet food – shelf life of canned food:
- on our proven technology
- Quality and safety for your pet food
We support you in manufacturing high-quality products that meet the requirements of your demanding customers.
Healthy pet food starts with sterilized ingredients, and our autoclaves are the key.