Raw Food Safety
Safe Raw Pet Food Starts with Quality Sourcing
The foundation of safe raw pet food is top-notch ingredients. That’s why we’re meticulous about sourcing. We strictly use pasture-raised poultry, grass-fed beef, and sustainably sourced or wild-caught fish. Our fruits and vegetables are locally grown, non-GMO, and pesticide-free.
All farms and fisheries we work with adhere to USDA human food standards. Whenever possible, we visit them in person—because seeing it firsthand is the best way to ensure sustainable, humane practices and exceptional quality.
High Manufacturing Standards Ensure Safe Raw Pet Food
Our commitment to safety extends to our manufacturing processes:
- Made to Order: We never stockpile ingredients or finished products, ensuring freshness and reducing the risk of spoilage.
- Strict Facility Hygiene: All team members adhere to strict sanitation protocols, including decontamination procedures and the use of personal protective equipment.
- 24/7 Cold Storage: Ingredients and products are kept at optimal temperatures at all times.
- Government Oversight: We are regularly inspected by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the FDA.
- Manufactured Under USDA and HACCP Food Safety Standards.
- Small Batch Production: We make under 1,500 pounds at a time and never run more than one formula simultaneously.
- IQF Quick Freezing: This locks in nutrients and freshness fast.
- High Pressure Processing (HPP): We utilize HPP as a kill step to eliminate pathogenic bacteria. HPP in pet food production involves subjecting the food to high pressure and cold water. This process effectively protects against harmful bacteria and pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli. HPP ensures food safety without the use of additional chemicals or high heat, which might compromise the product's nutritional integrity or sensory qualities.
- Freeze-Drying: For certain products, we utilize gentle freeze-drying to produce shelf-stable raw food—no heat, chemicals, or refrigeration required.
- Test & Hold Policy: Every batch is tested for safety and held until it gets the green light.
Rigorous Testing Ensures Every Batch Is Safe
Every batch of pet food goes through extensive testing to ensure it’s safe, clean, and nutritionally complete. From pathogens to heavy metals, we check it all so you can feel confident in every bite your pet takes. Here are all the tests we do on a regular basis:
- Microbial Testing: Every batch of food is tested for Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, and other harmful bacteria to ensure their absence before shipping to customers.
- Pathogen Testing for Meats and Goat Milk: All meats and goat milk also undergo pathogen testing before entering the pet food manufacturing process, adding an extra layer of scrutiny.
- Batch Testing: Every batch of pet food undergoes thorough testing for pathogens to guarantee safety.
- Environmental Contaminant Testing: Our foods are tested for pesticides, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants to meet stringent safety standards.
- Quarterly Nutrient Testing: Pet foods are tested quarterly for guaranteed analysis, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and other essential minerals.
- Bi-annual Nutritional Analysis: A comprehensive vitamin analysis and complete nutritional profiles of pet foods are conducted every six months.
Safe Raw Pet Food Handling at Home
Raw food safety continues once it’s in your hands. As a rule of thumb, treat your pet's raw food the same as you would any other raw meat you prepare for your family. Here are our best tips for safe handling at home:
- Freeze immediately upon delivery and keep it frozen until ready to serve.
- Thawed food should be kept refrigerated and used within three days.
- Refrigerate uneaten food within an hour
- Always wash up. Hands, counters, utensils, and pet bowls should be cleaned thoroughly after each use.
- Choose your bowls wisely. Stainless steel or glass bowls can be hand-washed easily. If you use plastic or silicone bowls, run them through the dishwasher—these materials are porous and can trap bacteria.
We’re committed to transparency and pet safety. If you have any questions about our sourcing, processing, or handling tips, we’re always happy to chat.
