Page 7 - 2023 Brand Product Guide

Minimally Processed

What it means and why it matters

Minimally processed is often used synonymously with healthy foods, but what does it mean?
Simply put, it is a processing technique during the manufacturing of food that does not change

the nutritional content in a substantial way. Over-processing has a deteriorating effect,
decreasing the quality of the food. From transportation, to minimizing processing times, quick

freezing, and food safety, Answers manufacturing practices are conscious and thoughtful from
farm to bowl! Answers puts considerable care into making sure that your furry friends consume

the most nutritious food.

Truly raw
Not all raw diets are “treated” equally. Pasteurization is part of the everyday vocabulary of most

pet food companies and many consumers when addressing food safety. The negative effects of
pasteurization on food and its nutritional quality are often overlooked. Pasteurization takes many

forms such as applied heat, to pressure, and even irradiation. All of these methods change the
molecular structure of the food in a damaging way.

One form of pasteurization, HPP or High-Pressure Processing or Pasteurization, has grown

in popularity among raw pet food diets as it is touted to have minimal negative effects on the
food. In reality, unnecessary processing or pasteurization can have a deteriorating impact on the

molecular composition of raw meat. Heat and High-Pressure Pasteurization kills bad bacteria
(pathogens) as well as the good bacteria needed for proper gut health. Destroying all bacteria

leaves a sterile environment for bacteria to re-contaminate and grow. The high-pressure process
involves wrapping the food in plastic packaging and subjecting it to extreme pressure,

potentially leaking toxins into the food. Worst of all, pet food companies that use HPP to
pasteurize their food are not required to label the food as being pasteurized.

Answers takes a unique approach. Over ten years ago, we developed a natural and unique

process using fermentation to introduce good bacteria into the food which creates a competitive
environment to “crowd out” or inhibit the growth of bad bacteria. Ours is a developed science

that continues to protect the food all the way from production to the time your pet consumes it in
the bowl. Our process also increases the nutritional quality of the food. It’s why here at Answers,

we consider our food truly raw, and why we continue to take food safety and nutrition to the
next level.

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