
Among the most important quality indicators for pet food are stability and freshness during storage. And of course, safety is non-negotiable. With all these attributes in mind, it can be a challenge to maximise quality targets such as palatability, production efficiency and nutritional value, whilst keeping the product free from moulds. Careful extrusion processing tends to aim for a low final moisture level in the finished kibble. Though this helps to control mould growth, it often affects the cost of extrusion efficiency and profitability. Achieving the proper balance of moisture content, throughput and petfood quality can support safety and quality parameters without sacrificing production efficiency.