Pet Food Industry Faces Sustainability Pressure as Consumers Demand Change
Pet food companies are facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, with ingredient sourcing being a significant challenge. A recent survey reveals that 65% of global pet owners are concerned about climate change, and 58% strive to have a positive environmental impact. Meanwhile, 86% of pet food professionals work for companies with sustainability goals, yet only 41% have measured their products' environmental impact.
Format Solutions' formulation software can help calculate a company's entire production process carbon footprint, addressing the varying data and methods currently used. Ingredient data is indeed the largest hurdle for pet food companies aiming for sustainability, with 40% of them citing it as their main obstacle. Ian Mealey of Format Solutions notes that pet food lags behind agrifeed and human food in sustainability efforts.
McDonald's in Europe has set a precedent with its sustainability initiatives. It uses 100% German-sourced pork certified by the Initiative Tierwohl (ITW) and is advancing programs for better animal welfare and climate modules in milk cow husbandry. The company plans to increase local sourcing and sustainable practices in production. This demonstrates that large-scale changes are possible in the food industry.
In the U.S., 32% of Gen Z consumers consider the environment in their purchase decisions all or most of the time. This consumer awareness is likely to drive demand for more sustainable pet food options.
The pet food industry is at a crossroads, with consumers and professionals alike pushing for more sustainable practices. While challenges remain, particularly in ingredient sourcing, companies are increasingly setting sustainability goals. Tools like Format Solutions' software can help calculate and reduce carbon footprints, and successful sustainability initiatives in other industries, such as McDonald's in Europe, provide a roadmap for the pet food sector.
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