Why does identity make fresh frozen gently cooked & canned pet foods; not raw?
As the recent H5N1 “bird flu” pet recall gains attention, I feel it’s time to share some insights.
For over 20 years, raw diets have been positioned as the pinnacle of pet nutrition. My family was among the first to commercialize raw pet food when we owned Petersen Pet Provisions, a leading/pioneering pet food distributor in the Rocky Mountain Region from 1995 to 2008. While raw diets have been popular in certain circles, our family has always questioned their long-term benefits. We’ve never recommended raw. Instead, we believe fresh frozen gently cooked pet foods & canned pet foods carry the same benefits of raw without added risk.
Here’s why:
1️⃣ Data suggests lightly cooked foods offer better nutrient bioavailability for pets.
2️⃣ Many raw pet food companies use lower-quality meats, such as MSM/MDM or 3/4D meats, which carry higher pathogen risks. Additionally, fat-heavy proteins or bone, often used to reduce costs, may not support optimal pet health.
3️⃣ The pathogen risk with raw diets, including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and now H5N1, is significant. Listeria contamination, for instance, can require entire facilities to be shut down and rebuilt.
I’ve heard countless stories of raw-fed pets ending up in ICU. A close friend who once worked in the pet food industry selling raw & feeding raw has now switched to fresh frozen, gently cooked food and will never go back.
As millennials, my brother and I have observed a growing shift away from raw diets, especially as young families grow and safety concerns become paramount.
That’s why we’re passionate about fresh frozen pet food. It’s convenient, nutritionally rich, and carries a much lower pathogen risk. We can honestly sell product into households knowing it’s safe. The results for pet health are clear, and it’s a safer choice.
If you’re curious, try identity Fresh Frozen at identitypet.com. We believe it’s a decision you and your pet will love!
PS. Here's a great recent article about Commercial Fresh Pet Food Diets: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/nutrition/commercial-fresh-pet-food-diets/
More info about recent recalls from PetFoodIndustry.com:
Jeremy
Founder, President & CEO
identity Pet Nutrition