Omega 3 for pets: Veramaris unveils algae ingredient for animal feed

03 Aug 2020 --- Netherlands-based biotech company Veramaris has unveiled a new source of omega 3 fatty acids for pet food called Veramaris Pets. The natural marine algal oil is made from microalgae and provides animal feed twice as much eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), compared to fish oil, the company says. This latest development for Veramaris follows a 12-month effort in establishing itself in the aquaculture market. The company is now expanding its portfolio, while refining its algal oil to optimize its taste for pets.

“This is an important chapter in the story of our young company. Our team has been able to take Veramaris Pets to the pet food market within a short time frame. Just a little drop of this high-quality product will make a big difference to the health of companion animals, which is good news for ‘pet parents’ every day and everywhere. They can also be reassured in the knowledge that while improving their pet’s health they are also contributing to healthy oceans,” explains Karim Kurmaly, CEO of Veramaris.

The company notes that the product is the first of its kind in pet food – a natural, rich and sustainable alternative to fish oil to help pets enjoy long, healthy and happy lives.

The company notes that the product is the first of its kind in pet food.Veramaris also says the launch provides pet food companies with a stable and sustainable way to enrich their products with “nature’s richest omega 3” and give pets the essential nutrition they need. “A little drop of omega 3 is what pets need every day,” Veramaris notes.

Making way in pet foods
Traditionally, omega 3 comes from fish oils but demand is outstripping supply, leading to unstable supply conditions and increased risks of overfishing, the company states. Veramaris’ algal oil is marketed as expanding the world’s access to omega 3 and reduces dependence on wild catch fish. One kilogram of the company’s natural algal oil replaces 60 kg of wild catch fish otherwise used for fish oil in pet food formulations.

Moreover, Veramaris Pets was highlighted by the company as “beating” fish oil in taste tests where both oils were used as coating for dry dog and cat food. In addition to ingredients coming from a guaranteed sustainable and natural source, pet food manufacturers will receive a consistent and reliable supply of algal oil. Invariably, Veramaris algal oil offers an EPA and DHA concentration exceeding 50 percent and is free from any ocean-borne contaminants.

Headquartered in Delft, The Netherlands, Veramaris is a joint venture between DSM and Evonik, both world leaders in science and specialty chemicals. Established in 2018, Veramaris was formed to conserve natural marine life by using the ocean's own resource, natural marine algae, to sustainably expand the world’s access to omega 3.

Animal nutrition innovations
The animal nutrition sector is seeing a range of expansion developments. As part of its Purina innovation program, Nestlé recently launched a pet care accelerator program called Unleashed. The program aims to identify and support dynamic and creative start-ups that integrate science and technologies into innovative products and services for pets. Starting in July 2020, the program provides start-ups access to pet health and nutrition expertise, proof of concept funding, as well as established commercial networks. Each selected start-up will receive funding up to CHF 50,000 (US$51,853). 

Also in this space, Distrivet will exclusively distribute Bioiberica’s Nucleoforce range in Spain to develop the market for yeast-based nucleotides for animal nutrition. These are touted as strengthening the immune and digestive systems in young animals during their rapid maturation life stages. Meanwhile, the growth of the animal nutrition sector has led Nestlé Purina and US personalized dog food brand Hungry Bark to invest millions in their respective segments.

Moreover, just like humans, dogs may also experience stress due to COVID-19-induced quarantine restrictions. Addressing these concerns, animal health company Birdnip released new dog supplements packed with human-grade adaptogens, nootropics and plant-based ingredients called “The Full Stack,” which aim to support canine mental health and optimal physical performance.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou

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