Vitafoods Europe 2025: Spotlight on science-backed pet nutrition innovations

At Vitafoods Europe 2025, pet nutrition emerged as a key focus, reflecting the growing trend of pet “humanization,” where pets are treated as integral family members and served food and supplements that are fit for human consumption. The newly introduced Pet Nutrition Hub showcased innovations in functional foods and supplements targeting weight management, dental care, immunity, and overall wellness.

Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from Clasado Biosciences, Essentia Protein Solutions, and Symrise to discuss the increasing demand for premium, personalized, and science-backed pet health solutions that mirror human wellness trends.

“It’s a very important moment for us because we are soft launching during Vitafoods, our business line dedicated to pet health,” reveals Renata Leite, the global pet health business line leader for taste, nutrition, and health at Symrise. 

“Some people asked, ‘Why are you launching pet ingredients in a food and beverage human-led event?’ but for us, the answer is super simple — we believe that humans and pets should be together, and so the health solutions should also be treated in the same way.”

“We’re seeing a new kind of niche of customers — people that are doing a lot of business in human nutrition, they want to expand into pets, but they do not know anything about, and they’re looking not only for ingredients but for solutions and recommendations.”

Rod Davies, legislation and applied technology at Essentia Protein Solutions, says there is an increasing demand for functional proteins in pet foods.“Initially, our range comes from the human line, and we did whole pet dedicated studies on this to understand what the market opportunity is, what the biological needs for pets are, and how we can bring value to this.”

Rod Davies, legislation and applied technology at Essentia Protein Solutions, says the biggest area of growth for the company in the pet food industry currently is in bone broth. He adds that there is a strong demand driving expansion in beef and chicken broth.

“Primarily, the reasons are palatability and the fact that our customers, we call them pet parents, now want ingredients that are primarily produced at food grade factories — provenance is key. What they like is the fact that their dogs and cats are actually eating the same sort of food as they are. We’ve seen significant volume over the last three or four years in that particular category.”

At the same time, Steven Riley, the head of B2B and corporate marketing at Clasado Biosciences, says that the accelerating “humanization trend” positions Bimuno GOS (galactooligosaccharide) as a promising contender in the category.

“By humanization, we mean the health areas that we as humans are showing greater interest in managing, such as gut health and immune health, and this obviously is then transferring from humans over to pets, particularly into companion health as well,” Riley explains. 

Addressing the “humanization” trend

Riley points out that although humans and pets have distinct microbial populations and digestive systems, the fundamental principles of microbiome modulation are consistent across both. As a result, targeting beneficial genera like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli remains applicable and important.

Renata Leite, the global pet health business line leader for taste, nutrition, and health at Symrise, says its experience with palatants makes it an innovation leader.“Emergent research indicates that Bimuno GOS may support a healthy microbiome in companion animals with benefits such as improved stool quality, enhanced immune function, and potential impacts on mood and behavior through the gut-brain axis. Obviously, this is parallel to the findings that we find in human health.”

“Formulation considerations include picking the right prebiotic for the efficacious dose,” he underscores. “We must make sure that the delivery method, palatability, and the functional goal is achieved.”

“This is whether it is immune support, digestive regularity, and microbial balance, and obviously, we can see these are all remarkably aligned between what we have on the human side, and that is what we are seeing on the pet side as well.”

Pet-friendly functional proteins

According to Davies at Essentia Proteins, a major focus area the company is addressing is the demand for functional proteins, which are entirely collagen-based. He adds that collagen is now widely regarded as a superfood and notes that several years ago, it was niche and has now become mainstream, with pork being the top source.

Moreover, he reveals that the company supplies large volumes of functional collagen protein cooked in rendered fat for added flavor and a gelatinous texture, delivering a distinct pork taste that strongly appeals to consumers.

“The innovations are similar to those in the human world, and with our collagen peptides, we’re taking the bone broth and hydrolyzing it so it’s soluble and colorless and can go into any application,” Riley highlights. “It can go into any application that you see fit.”Steven Riley, the head of B2B and corporate marketing at Clasado Biosciences, says that the “humanization” of pet nutrition is emerging as a key trend.

“For working dogs, you can put it into water and hydrate them. It can also go into a broth, so you’re getting a nutrient-based product. Collagen is a fun innovation and a relatively new concept for us. Your dog or cat can get a functional protein that’s rich in collagen, either as a topper or as a sprinkle.”

“It’s also rich in essential amino acids, and it’s good for joint pain, joint health, for healthy aging, and it’s good for animals’ coats.”

Proliferating palatants

Leite at Symrise says that the company’s more than 40 years of expertise in palatants — taste-enhancing ingredients that increase pet food palatability and encourage consumption — makes it a recognized global leader in pet food solutions. 

She adds that this long-standing experience means the company can continue to leverage its know-how to support innovation and optimize pet food product performance. She also highlights a patented soft chew technology that allowed them to create a gummy version of dietary supplements for pets.

Another product, which was displayed at the trade show’s “Pet Nutrition Hub” and in the “New Ingredient Zone,” is Symrise’s plant-based SPF Vet’Pal palatant ingredient.

“For us, it is really important to be everywhere people are looking for pets; we want to be the first,” Leite explains. “One of our R&D experts in palatants and one of our scientists just gave a very great presentation on what palatants are, how you should measure them, and why they are so important.” 

“Because, just like baby food, if your cat or the dog doesn’t like the taste, they just won’t eat it, the owner will throw it away, and then there’s no repurchase,” she concludes. “We’re really happy to be making our launch of this ingredient here at Vitafoods.”