Let’s be honest, most people don’t find dog food appetizing. But, luckily our dogs love it! Especially when we open a new bag, they are right there sticking their faces inside and they are excited about their meal. Why is that? Well, besides the yummy Muenster meat, it smells extra fresh when that bag is opened. We want to make sure that the nutrition they get at the end of a bag is the same as it is the first serving.
Ingredients
First off, we use superior, fresh ingredients, not by-products. We inspect and test every raw ingredient before it gets into the dog food, and then we test each batch when it’s done to make sure that we are providing an unadulterated final product. We trust our ingredient suppliers, most of which are local family farms that we have sourced from over decades. In addition, Muenster uses the best natural anti-oxidant preservatives available, from industry leader Kemin, to ensure maximum shelf life of the finished food.
Next, we use the best quality processing and quality control protocols. By making sure that the machinery and processes are clean and efficient, we minimize the risk of any contamination or spoilage happening during the manufacturing process.
The Bag
Of course, we are fond of our graphics, but we spend more money on the actual bag than many companies do. Our polypropylene, recycle #5, mylar lined bag doesn’t just look snazzy, it actually is human food grade materials next to the dog food so as to not leach any harmful plastics or inks onto the food, protect it from light, humidity, and bugs, and keep the nutrition at optimal levels during the time between us making it and you opening it.
Congratulations, you’ve purchased Muenster Milling dog food! Now, how do you ensure that the product stays as nutritious as when you first opened it? Well, we want you to keep it in that fancy bag! We think our bags are the perfect vessel for keeping the dog food from touching anything that might be harmful. Some plastic containers/tubs are not food grade, and the chemicals that are used to manufacture the materials can leach into the food, especially in the heat. Glass containers are great if you have smaller quantities.
Air-ing & Sharing
Make sure the container is sealed up airtight as oxygenation is the first problem when it comes to making food rancid. Even rolling down the bag, squeezing air out, and closing with a chip clip, is more helpful than nothing. Keeping it in an airtight container should also help keep bugs and rodents (and sneaky dogs) out of the food. No one likes bugs in their food, not even your dog! Besides, contamination just wastes money and can even make your dog sick.
Environment
Heat & humidity. Just like with your own food, hot and humid conditions are the enemy. These two culprits cause food degradation must faster due to mold and oxidation. Keeping the dog food in the air-conditioned house, not the garage or shed, is important to keep it optimally nutritious for as long as possible. Some folks that feed less per day opt to keep unused portions in the freezer, in a sealed container or large zip-top bags.
We do our best to provide your dogs with superior nutrition and fresh foods using the newest technology. We add top of the line, natural anti-oxidant preservatives from Kemin to keep food fresh during transit and feeding. Sara Cutler, Kemin North America Technical Services Manager, says “treated ingredient kibble stays fresh for 12-24 months and freeze-dried foods keep for up to 5 years.” Even custom dog food with additional fats added should stay optimal for almost a year as we pre-treat the oils with natural anti-oxidants.
Taking steps to minimize oxidation, contamination from bugs or rodents, and degradation from heat and humidity will ensure that you maximize your budget and your dog’s Muenster Milling nutrition!
