Pet Food Labelling: Understanding Meat & Co-products
When you look at a pet food label, the terms used are carefully defined to ensure you know exactly what is going into your pet’s bowl.
What is “Meat”?
Meat refers to the clean muscle parts of mammals, birds and fish that are used for pet food. While this mostly means the “meat” we are familiar with (skeletal muscle), it also includes other muscle tissues like the heart and tongue. Because these parts occur naturally together, it also includes the small amounts of fat, skin, and connective tissue that are normally attached to the meat.
You might know these as “by-products” or “animal derivatives,” but the industry now prefers the term “co-products.” In simple terms, these are the parts of the animal that aren’tthe main muscle meat but are still highly nutritious and naturally eaten by pets. This includes organs (e.g., liver and kidneys), as well as fat, feet, viscera and bones.
Why these ingredients are used
Pet food manufacturers use a blend of both meat and co-products. Here’s why that’s a great thing for your furry friend:
- Packed with Nutrition: Using the whole animal, including both muscle meat and nutrient-rich co-products helps ensure a complete nutritional profile, with high-quality proteins and essential nutrients for overall pet health.
- Sustainable: Pet food uses high-quality co-products from the human food chain; parts of animals (like organ meats or trimmings) that people typically don’t eat. Incorporating these nutritious co-products ensures the entire animal is utilised, minimising waste and promoting sustainability.
- Easy-to-Understand Labels: Clear terms like “Beef,” “Poultry,” or “Fish” are used to help you quickly see exactly which animals are in your pet’s food.
Why the shift to “Co-product”?
You might have seen the word “by-product” in the past, but the Australian pet food industry is moving toward the more positive term “co-product” for a few key reasons:
- Alignment: It aligns with Australian Livestock Standards, ensuring consistent terminology across the meat industry.
- Value: “Co-product” accurately reflects that these ingredients are valuable, intentional, and nutritious.
Did you know? In the wild, carnivores almost always eat the organs (co-products) first because they are the most nutrient-dense part of the prey.