Prior to the introduction of ultra processed pet food in the 1950’s, in the form of canned wet food and kibble, pets were fed diets of what their humans had in ready supply. Those ingredients were not typically fresh and served on the spot. BOOST Pet is here to ‘make pet food fresh again.’

BOOST Pet is more than just another pet food brand – it is part of a revolution, catering to a growing community of pet parents who want better for their furry companions – more nutrition, more transparency, and more accessibility, all without compromising on quality. So far, the customer demand has been remarkable.

Co-founders Liam Wylie and Patrick Nestel come from pet and retail management backgrounds respectively, the pair met in Australia where the fresh pet food category has existed for 20 years. In Australia, Wylie is somewhat of an industry pioneer. Initially working for a grocer managing the pet food category and overseeing much of the early days of the fresh pet food category, Liam then joined ‘The Real Pet Food Co’ which was at the time, the world’s largest Fresh Pet Food manufacturer.

After returning to the UK to be closer with family, Wylie could not believe the fresh pet food category did not exist in grocery yet and convinced Nestel to join him in making ‘fresh pet food accessible for all.’ So, the pair set up a factory from scratch to begin making the products themselves. This was the only way to deliver the most affordable fresh offer in the UK, a commitment that underpins the brands ethos.

Patrick Nestel, director of BOOST Pet said: “We realised there was a gap in grocery for fresh, wholesome meals that do not sacrifice value. Our goals and values have always been focussed around two things. We stand up for transparency within our ingredients and lean away from anything ultra-processed. If you read the back of pet food products in the UK, it is not uncommon for the ingredients to only add up to 60%, or products can be called chicken and only include 25% chicken…We take pride in the transparency of our ingredients, the only thing we don’t list is on our packs is water, which is typically 5-10% and used for product consistency. I think it is insane that people feed what are unknown ingredients to their pets. Pets deserve an honest diet, which is what we expect for ourselves, and that is what BOOST is all about.”

BOOST Pet has experienced impressive growth since the company started selling in May 2023 and attributes this to its unique selling point of delivering products within the fresh pet food category, a typically premium segment, at affordable grocery prices. The brand has grown from claiming no freezer space in stores to claiming over two hundred freezers in major retailers including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer’s, and others by Christmas 2024. Notably, BOOST Pet is the first frozen pet food brand to achieve this in UK grocery.

This uncompromising stance on quality has helped BOOST Pet carve out a loyal customer base, many of whom report noticeable improvements in their pets’ health, from shinier coats to better energy levels. Chris from Yorkshire commented; “My pup was bought up on rolls and canned food – so seeing the massive health, energy and coat benefits from BOOST when he wasn’t eating anything else made me the happiest dog owner.” But BOOST’s success is not just about the product – it’s about how the company delivers an all-around positive experience while prioritising accessibility.

BOOST Pet’s online business allows customer to one time purchase or subscribe, which is a departure from many online competitors who only allow subscriptions. This gives pet parents additional options in accessing the brand.

“Our customers want to know what they are eating and that their food is not ultra-processed, this applies to their pet’s food too. They know their pets are getting the best nutrition possible, and they do not have to think twice about what’s in their food. We take care of everything for them, from sourcing the best ingredients to delivering it fresh, ready to serve.” Nestel shares.

The company’s ability to blend their years of industry knowledge, commitment to value and prioritising their servicing on the supplying the supermarkets, has played a critical role in its success. While BOOST Pet has stayed true to its original mission, it has also remained nimble adjusting its offerings and business model based on real-time customer feedback and industry trends.

Looking ahead, BOOST Pet has ambitious plans to expand across the UK and beyond and is on a mission to make fresh, high-quality pet food more accessible to pet owners everywhere. “We’re just getting started,” says Nestel. “Our goal is to continue delivering fresh food that does not sacrifice accessibility to pet owners. It is all about improving the lives of pets and their owners, and we’re excited for what’s next.”

BOOST Pet food is not just a brand; it is part of a movement toward better pet care, where fresh, nutritious food is the new standard. Through its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, BOOST Pet are pioneers in the pet food industry. With a rapidly growing customer base, exciting plans for the future, and a mission that resonates deeply with today’s pet owners, BOOST Pet is well on its way to becoming the household name.

Let’s make pet food fresh again!

Sysco GB companies M&J Fresh Seafood and Brakes have been awarded the prestigious 2024 MSC UK Foodservice Supplier of the Year award.

 

The award, which Sysco GB has won a record ten times, reflects the organisation’s dedication to sustainable sourcing and, with around 120 MSC branded lines available, its leadership of responsible fish and seafood sourcing.

 

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive Officer, Sysco GB said: “As the UK’s largest foodservice supplier, we have an opportunity to improve the food system by sourcing products more sustainably.

 

“We’re very proud that we’ve managed to win the MSC award 10 times. It’s a true reflection of the effort we place on helping our customers to develop more sustainable menus.”

On 16^th of October, World Bread Day was celebrated, and it is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of this product along with its trends. Consumers are increasingly interested in healthier, high-quality foods, leading to a transformation in the bakery industry. In Spain, where bread is a Mediterranean diet staple, the demand for more nutritious, digestible, and natural options is growing. Nutritious breads, often enriched with seeds and whole grains, are gaining popularity. Long fermentation processes, which improve digestibility, have also become a trend. To meet these evolving preferences, Europastry continues to innovate with over 480 new products in 2023, investing significantly in research and development.

Bread is a traditional food and a key pillar of the consumers’ diet, providing essential energy, complex carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Its enduring popularity stems from its accessibility and nutritional value. However, bread has evolved significantly over the years. Consumers now seek options that not only taste good but are also more digestible, natural, and of higher quality. The range of bread varieties and categories continues to expand beyond the classic loaf, offering a wider selection to meet these modern demands.

 

The rise of nutritious bread and seed-based options has become a favourite among consumers

According to Europastry, nutritious breads are gaining prominence, signalling a trend towards traditional, simple, and natural recipes without additives or artificial preservatives. This aligns with the growing demand for high-quality ingredients and health-promoting products, such as protein-enriched bread, which is also becoming increasingly popular.

Another emerging trend is the growing consumer interest in more flavourful and textured options that are also nutritious. These include whole grain (integral) varieties, naturally fermented products, or those enriched with seeds. This variety goes beyond traditional wheat to include other grains like oats, carob, spelt, and rye, offering higher fibre and essential nutrients. Such options cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences.

Long fermentation processes are one of the latest innovations in bread making

The use of long fermentation processes is one of the latest innovations in the world of bread. Pioneered by Europastry, this method not only enhances texture and flavour but also aids digestion by breaking down grain compounds more effectively, using various types of lactic or acidic sourdoughs. Breads made with this technique are becoming a preferred choice as they meet the demand for both pleasurable and easily digestible products.

These trends highlight a significant shift, as consumers increasingly value the quality of ingredients and pay attention to key components on product labels.

 

Constant Innovation to Meet Consumer Demand
All these trends represent the bakery sector’s response to consumer needs, with innovation as a key driver. In the 1980s, Europastry revolutionized Spanish bakery with the introduction of frozen, pre-baked bread. This method preserved traditional recipes with natural ingredients while allowing bakers to expand product offerings without lengthy night shifts. The solution’s key: the convenience of cold storage, providing fresh products at any time.

With this flexibility to offer a greater variety of products, the bakery world can detect and offer breads adapted to new trends and needs, imp roving the experience for both consumers and bakery professionals. This is the case of Europastry, which, through its six CEREAL (Centre for Research Europastry Advanced Lab) centres, where it has more than 60 specialists in bakery innovation, studies and analyses the main trends for the development of new products. In 2023, it invested more than 107 million euros in R&D and Technology, which enabled it to launch more than 480 new products on the market, in addition to the development of more than 1,500 R&D projects.

Safefood 360° offers a software solution which combines Food Safety Management and Supplier Quality Management solutions within one software designed to mitigate risk, enhance compliance to retailer and technical standards while providing a fast, secure, and audit-ready working environment.

In our recent webinar, we explored how our software can strengthen your approach to quality and compliance management.

From building a robust framework to streamlining daily operations, our software is built to help food manufacturers to reduce non-conformities and stay audit-ready with ease.

• If you missed the live session, watch the full recording here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1867367010992767573
• Interested in a personalised demo? Connect with us here: https://safefood360.com/request-demo/

Beating off competition from nearly 2000 UKSW submissions across eight categories, Porky Whites Surrey Sausage triumphed in the Best Pork Sausage category before taking the top prize at the annual awards.

 

Francesca Wyatt – Managing Director of Porky Whites commented; “To win UK Sausage Week’s UK Supreme Sausage Champion for our Signature Surrey Sausage is incredible. This award – as well as the Best Pork Sausage title – tops off an amazing year for the business which has seen us continue to grow and bring exciting new products to customers.

 

“The Surrey is our pride and joy and where it all started for our retail business, so winning this award has been over 20 years in the making! I want to thank everyone at UK Sausage Week, the awards team and the judging panel for this award as it means an awful lot to everyone at Porky Whites!

 

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone connected with Porky Whites. From our manufacturing team who work tirelessly to produce each of our quality products, to our cleaners, to our technical, operations, sales and marketing teams. This award is for all of you and for the hard work you’ve put into helping us get to where we are today, and to where we’re heading together.”

 

More about the UK’s Best and Supreme Pork Sausage Champion

Porky Whites Signature Surrey Sausage is our pride and joy and quite simply the sausage we built our name on. Made from the finest cuts of pork, it’s the big sausage with the big taste. Peppery with a hint of real honey and lemon juice, it makes for a meaty and satisfying breakfast, lunch or dinner. Surrey’s gift to the rest of the UK, it leaves the Cumberland quaking in its skin!

 

More about UKSW

UKSW is an annual week-long celebration of the great British banger backed by Meat Management magazine designed to support the sausage and pork trade, its suppliers, and to generate interest and increased revenues over the all-important autumn period, a key time for sausage sales both at retail and wholesale.

 

This year UKSW reported receiving nearly 2000 entries from across the UK, so to be the creator of the Best Porky Sausage and crowned Supreme UK Champion is a huge accolade.

 

About Porky Whites
Renowned in the British pork and meat production industry, Porky Whites is known for its commitment to exceptional taste, quality, and heritage. Based in the heart of Surrey, we pride ourselves on producing premium pork and meat products that reflect traditional craftsmanship, while embracing modern standards of sustainability and customer satisfaction.

 

Family-run and family-owned, Porky Whites manufacture the best sausages and formed meat products to commercial food service and retailers including Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado and Waitrose.

 

For further information and for all media relations enquiries including interviews and follow-up, please contact marketing@porkywhites.co.uk.

Are you compliant with the new food import rules that came into force this year?

Since April 2024, new checks at the border on POAO (Products of Animal Origin) goods from the EU were introduced. Our specialist food stuffs customs department can ensure you are fully compliant with all the changes for a seamless customs clearance process.

Food Imports, Drinks, Alcohol and Perishable Goods are highly specialised and require extra levels of care and attention. With extensive experience in this area, Brunel are experts when it comes to arranging transport, Customs Clearance and delivery of these products and have won a number of awards in this sector.

Brunel have a key understanding of the various logistics and temperature controlled issues that come with cool chain and supply chain management operation.

Perishable & Food Stuff Supply Chain Specialists at Dover

We provide a full range of services to ensure the proper conditions and compliance of a wide range of perishables across the supply chain. With carefully chosen partners we can service the food and beverage industry from origin to destination by working with our air freight and road freight divisions and by planning the most economical and cost-effective routes for each shipment.

Our Perishable Customs Services include:

• • Full DEFRA / PEACH compliance
  • IPAFFS
  • CHED Applications (including payment of CHED fees on your behalf)
  • Low risk /medium /high risk food consultation service
  • Food tariff classification service
  • POAO Customs Broker Specialists
  • Local Port Health and CVED specialists
  • Customs Clearance in all UK Ports
  • Direct access to all UK Sea & Air Port systems
  • Nationwide & European Refrigerated Transport
  • Global presence for Worldwide Supply Chain
  • Full Deferment Facility
  • Free Expert advice on all Shipping or Documentation
  • 24 hour / 7 days a week availability

Brunel Smart Clear

Brunel have developed our own “Brunel Smart Clear” technology that seamlessly links to our EU brokerage partners – ensuring smooth clearance at Dover. We have spent over 2 years developing this software that specialises in the clearance of food stuffs with multiple tariff headings, with 16 brokers and customs badges at all airports and seaports. Brunel have a solution for all your supply chain requirements.

 

Brunel Shipping and Brunel European’s unrivalled service helps prevent downtime in the supply chain process. Shipments are monitored, tracked and actioned by a dedicated member of our team. Communication is maximised with the client to ensure that you are fully aware of the status of each shipment throughout transit.

For more information visit – https://brunelshipping.co.uk/perishables.html