Select Language VIDEO TOUR PARTNER PORTAL Research & Development As soon as you become a partner, you will gain access to some of the world’s finest Research and Development facilities. The R&D Department work continuously to create unique, innovative solutions. Research & Development is part of the DNA at GA Pet Food Partners. As a company, we strive to push the boundaries both in terms of nutrition and manufacturing capabilities. Our R&D team works in collaboration with expert teams in Nutrition, Production, Quality, and other key departments to deliver ground-breaking and innovative solutions. Innovation & New Product Development (NPD) Protein Hydrolysis/HDP Since the introduction of Freshtrusion™, GA Pet Food Partners has led the way in manufacturing diets containing increasing amounts of freshly prepared meat and fish protein sources. Proud to be at the forefront of advances in pet food manufacturing, we never rest here at GA, and we are constantly striving for ways to offer our Partners (and pets) even better products. We are now extremely excited to offer our latest innovation, which we are calling ‘HDP’ – Highly Digestible Protein. By using controlled enzymatic hydrolysis (conditions determined in collaboration with experts at Nofima, a leading independent institute for applied food research), we can digest protein into small peptides (this is the same process as occurs naturally in the digestive tract). This increases the digestibility & bioavailability of the protein, improves palatability and produces a protein with low allergenic potential. For more information on HDP, please get in touch with your dedicated Account Manager. Download GA’s HDP (Highly Digestible Protein) report You can download for free GA’s report on the development of protein hydrolysis approach to increase the nutritional benefits of freshly prepared meat and fish, written by Dr Adrian Hewson-Hughes. This report details our research and development into our efforts to increase the nutritional value of the protein within our fresh meat and fish ingredients by converting the protein into small peptides, which are more easily absorbed by the pets eating it. We are calling this process HDP (Highly Digestible Protein). Download our HDP Report Collagen & Collagen Peptides in Pet Food A unique feature of GA Pet Food Partners is being able to collect the finest meat and fish ingredients at the source. We know that these ingredients naturally contain collagen, although the amounts vary between different types of animal tissues. Suppose we test different parts of a whole chicken, for example. In that case, we see that collagen is most abundant in the skin, followed by the carcass, (from the bones and cartilage), with lower amounts in skeletal meat and internal organs (viscera). Kibbles made with natural collagen-containing ingredients, such as certain Freshly Prepared meat and fish materials, will be digested and absorbed by the pet providing the building blocks (particularly amino acids glycine and proline) for the body to make more collagen, which can help maintain healthy bones, joints and skin. Thanks to our latest R&D work on protein hydrolysis and the introduction of an innovative ‘Highly Digestible Protein’ (HDP) process, here At GA, we can ‘pre-digest’ the collagen within our selected meat and fish ingredients into collagen peptides using carefully controlled enzymatic hydrolysis before incorporating them into a delicious kibble. Download GA’s Collagen & Collagen Peptides In Pet Food report You can download for free GA Pet Food Partners report on collagen and collagen peptides in pet food by Dr Adrian Hewson-Hughes, our Nutrition, Food Safety & Innovation Advisor, containing incredibly useful information on what collagen is, what it does, how it is made and how the R&D department at GA have made huge innovations in HDP and collagen absorption. Download our Collagen & Collagen Peptides Report Connoisseur Cat When it comes to food, cats are notoriously difficult to please! With this in mind, we have spent several years working with different organisations and our expert nutritionists to formulate recipes using a variety of ingredients and combinations of coatings on the kibbles. In addition, we have conducted extensive palatability trials to discover what makes fussy cats happy! We are now pleased to announce that we have developed three fantastic new products (1 adult and 2 sterilised) that we know cats will love. These recipes are now available via our MyLabel portfolio. In addition to the great taste, all products are formulated to support urinary tract health and have been shown to maintain urine pH within an optimal range to minimise the risk of urinary crystals or stones forming. All research and development carried out at GA benefits every one of our partners. Any exciting R&D developments are offered to all of our valued partners, as our expertise is your success. For more information on the Connoisseur Cat range, please contact your dedicated Account Manager. Nutrition Our Nutrition team have expertly formulated more than 800 recipes. Using their animal biology and nutrition knowledge, our team offers expert support and advice throughout the journey and crucially ensure that recipes comply with the latest pet food legislation. Whilst working with our R&D Department, they help create new recipes using the most innovative solutions and selecting the most suitable raw materials before the recipe is sent for trial. Then working with our Lab Technicians, they analyse the results in detail before the new recipe is sent to be produced. Charlotte Shepherd, our Senior Nutritionist, has put together some informative articles below on why we formulate not just for life stages and species but also lifestyles. Puppy Recipes Puppy Recipes Puppies require an appropriately high level of protein to support growth and development through this crucial phase in life. This is usually higher than an adult’s requirement, as this is the fastest development phase within a dog’s lifetime. During this phase, they also require an appropriate and controlled Calcium and Phosphorus level to ensure correct skeletal development, which is especially important for large breed puppies. Adult Dog Recipes Small Breed Dogs Large Breed Dogs Light Recipes Senior Dog Recipes Kitten Recipes Adult Cat Recipes Senior Cat Recipes Sterilised/Neutered Cat Recipes Indoor Cat Recipes Fussy Cat Recipes Active Cat Recipes Colleague Spotlight: R&D Alex Tebay Product Innovation and Process Development Manager Alex graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2004 with a BSc (Hons) in Food Science & Technology. He then went on to gain 11 years of experience in roles in the Human Food Industry covering both Quality and New Product Development, with various products from cereals, to dairy and fruit. Before Joining GA in 2017, Alex was the Head of NPD for a manufacturer of sugar-based jams and fillings and was responsible for launching over 100 products into the bakery sector, supplying all major supermarkets. He had overall responsibility for the formulation, costing and drawing up of specifications for all of these products, managing the process from ‘Concept to Launch’. Since Joining GA in 2017, Alex has been at the forefront of the many technical innovations that we have introduced to the dry pet food sector, be it equipment, manufacturing techniques, or new raw materials. Alex also oversees the processing side of NPD within the company and plays a large part in assisting the partner’s journey by introducing new products that change the pet food sector and keep it moving forward. Dr Adrian Hewson-Hughes Nutrition, Food Safety and Innovation Advisor Adrian graduated from the University of Sunderland with a BSc (Hons) in pharmacology and went on to work in a Multiple Sclerosis laboratory at the Institute of Neurology, University College London, where he obtained a PhD. After several more years as a ‘postdoc’ in academia at the Universities of Cambridge and Nottingham, he joined Mars Petcare and spent 14 years working in R&D at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. Adrian led various research projects on palatability, feeding behaviour, nutrition and metabolism in both cats and dogs, resulting in scientific publications, presentations and product innovations. In 2016, Adrian moved to France to head the European Nutrition R&D team at Nestlé Purina Petcare. He was responsible for ensuring nutritional and regulatory compliance, nutritional safety and claims substantiation across the cat and dog product portfolio from mainstream to veterinary diets. Additionally, he carried out research to support innovation and new product development across all formats (wet, dry and treats). In October 2018, Adrian joined GA Pet Food Partners, excited by the opportunity to support the continued innovation and investment that GA commits to, bringing the highest quality products to our Partners and our pets. 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