The present invention relates in general to the field of pet food. In particular the present invention relates to a meat like chunk that can be incorporated into a complete pet food. One embodiment of the present invention is a method of using multiple scraped surface heat exchangers and a steam tunnel to produce a meat like chunk. Another embodiment is a composition of meat ingredients, dried egg product, egg whites, and pea protein that results in a meat like chunk having an improved appearance that closely resembles that of actual pieces of meat.

The present invention relates in general to the field of pet food. In particular the present invention relates to a meat like chunk that can be incorporated into a complete pet food. One embodiment of the present invention is a method of using multiple scraped surface heat exchangers and a steam tunnel to produce a meat like chunk. Another embodiment is a composition of meat ingredients, dried egg product, egg whites, and pea protein that results in a meat like chunk having an improved appearance that closely resembles that of actual pieces of meat.

The present invention relates to a system and a method of manufacturing and preparing feed as well as a feed product for farmed animals in an aquaculture environment, including but not limited to fish, shrimps, and crabs. The method of manufacturing the aquaculture feed includes the steps of providing water, a fatty acid component, a protein source, and a feed stabiliser. The feed stabiliser is contacted with the fatty acid component. The feed stabiliser is contacted with the water. The feed stabiliser and water is heated. The feed stabiliser, the fatty acid component, the protein source, and the water is mixed and shaped into a dough. The dough is cooled to obtain the aquaculture feed.

The present invention relates to dissolvable containers for animal feed micro-ingredients, and methods for using such dissolvable containers to prepare an animal feed mixture. Ingredients required in very small amounts with respect to the rest of the components in an animal feed, i.e., micro-ingredients, can be pre-measured and sealed within the dissolvable containers, which can be made from a water-soluble polymer film, then added to the other feed components when the complete animal feed is being prepared.

The present invention relates to dissolvable containers for animal feed micro-ingredients, and methods for using such dissolvable containers to prepare an animal feed mixture. Ingredients required in very small amounts with respect to the rest of the components in an animal feed, i.e., micro-ingredients, can be pre-measured and sealed within the dissolvable containers, which can be made from a water-soluble polymer film, then added to the other feed components when the complete animal feed is being prepared.

A filling device comprises a modified vacuum-filling head that introduces a viscous filling, such as a gravy, into a loaf matrix in a retortable can so that the filling remains enclosed by the set loaf matrix after retorting. The filling can remain as a viscous gravy or can set as a gel, depending on the formulation of the filling. Preferably the viscous filling is distributed horizontally into the loaf matrix, for example through horizontally-facing apertures, during a pause in the descent of the can away from the filling device. The flow of the filling can be controlled by synchronized pneumatic valves.

A filling device comprises a modified vacuum-filling head that introduces a viscous filling, such as a gravy, into a loaf matrix in a retortable can so that the filling remains enclosed by the set loaf matrix after retorting. The filling can remain as a viscous gravy or can set as a gel, depending on the formulation of the filling. Preferably the viscous filling is distributed horizontally into the loaf matrix, for example through horizontally-facing apertures, during a pause in the descent of the can away from the filling device. The flow of the filling can be controlled by synchronized pneumatic valves.

A stable liquid ingredient composition for liquid animal feed, which is stable from 0 to about 40° C. and also forms a stable dispersion in water. The composition includes oleyl lactylate and salts thereof (OL), and a further lactylate selected from lauroyl lactylate and salts thereof (LL), or a mixture of lauroyl lactylate and myristoyl lactylate and/or their salts (LL/ML blend). The weight ratio of the lactylate selected from LL or the LL/ML blend to OL in the stable liquid ingredient composition ranges from 1/99 to 60/40. The stable liquid ingredient composition may optionally include a diluent. The composition provides an alternative to solid feed ingredients or additives and can be applied as ingredient in liquid feed for animals such as in drinking water. Use of the stable liquid ingredient composition allows a reduction in the use of antibiotics and helps to maintain a good health of the animal.

A stable liquid ingredient composition for liquid animal feed, which is stable from 0 to about 40° C. and also forms a stable dispersion in water. The composition includes oleyl lactylate and salts thereof (OL), and a further lactylate selected from lauroyl lactylate and salts thereof (LL), or a mixture of lauroyl lactylate and myristoyl lactylate and/or their salts (LL/ML blend). The weight ratio of the lactylate selected from LL or the LL/ML blend to OL in the stable liquid ingredient composition ranges from 1/99 to 60/40. The stable liquid ingredient composition may optionally include a diluent. The composition provides an alternative to solid feed ingredients or additives and can be applied as ingredient in liquid feed for animals such as in drinking water. Use of the stable liquid ingredient composition allows a reduction in the use of antibiotics and helps to maintain a good health of the animal.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing pet food comprising pale meat and a gravy; and a pet food obtainable thereby.