Human and animal needs overlap and have potential for development in a growing market.  Product development is complex and it has been shown that marketing, regulation, supply chain and technology can only lead to a good outcome if considered together.

People and animals with similar health needs

Many people face increasing demands on their body and mind. The pace and mental strain of working life is increasing. This even carries over into private life and social time with friends and family, so it is very important to maintain a healthy metabolism and a complete and balanced diet of high quality food. Just like humans, our pets can also develop health problems, so providing preventive care for their physical health is a special concern for pet owners. The importance and awareness of nutrition, moderate exercise and socialisation is increasing as we age.

Not everyone has access to a "perfect" diet or a way to integrate it into their daily routine. Instead, they turn to simpler solutions such as supplements, which are in high demand both online and offline.

Animal feed supplements are gaining in potential

Influencers who give advice on nutrition and dietary supplements and present new routines are becoming increasingly popular and engaging, especially among young audiences. Their number of followers on social media is growing rapidly and exponentially.

On the other hand, with 340 million pets in Europe, of which 104 million are dogs and 127 million cats, sales in the pet food sector have recently grown by 5% annually (FEDIAF European Pet Food Report 2022). It is not surprising that there are many people who want to help their pets achieve optimal nutrition.

Complex selection conditions

The number of substances that can be used in the production of food supplements and additives is enormous; ingredient supply chains are global and very complex. In addition, regulations and limits have to be complied with and a number of factors have to be taken into account in the selection of each substance, both for humans and animals, so it is important to get good advice for each of the processes involved.

Preliminary considerations for a phase of effective development

Any new development or change in a product can only take place after a number of preliminary considerations. We recommend taking into account the following factors for an effective development phase:

Marketing

How do I want to position my product? It is important to consider novelties, innovations, natural substances and other options. Does the idea fit into the existing product line? Existing products or dosage forms should be taken into account... What kind of effect do I want to achieve? General health, mental health, support of the immune, digestive or cardiovascular system, joint health, skin, coat or fur.

Regulations

Which labels do I want to comply with? Depending on the objectives of the final product, it will be important to emphasise a particular type of label, such as Kosher, Halal, Vegan or Bio/Organic... Is the substance I am interested in approved for the intended application? Which country of destination is my product intended for?

Does the product have an official EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) declaration?  It is a good idea to have a clear understanding of the applicable regulations at an early stage and to ask the right questions.

Is the product adequately documented, are there scientific studies on its effects, and are the studies credible and representative? Manufacturers' data quality requirements can vary widely, so it pays to be informed.

Supply Chain

Is the product available in the desired quantity, what is the minimum order quantity, is the supply chain secure or at risk? Some plant raw materials are only available seasonally and in limited quantities. European authorities may ban the import of certain substances from certain countries at short notice. Depending on the size of the company and the size of its business, minimum quantities, container sizes and available capacities must be adjusted to the expected demand.

Technology

Can I transform the substance into the intended pharmaceutical form? Highly viscous pastes cannot be converted into powder, and many solids have limitations to be converted into a homogeneous powder. Each company has different production facilities, processes and know-how. The processing capacity of the raw materials plays an important role. With qualified suppliers and offers complete solutions for the creation of end products to care for and prevent the health of humans and animals.

Has to work with qualified providers that offer integral solutions for the creation of final product to take care and warn the health of humans and animal. There is a wide variety of products that can be used to develop products Nutracéuticos of quality, there is crowd of innovative active substances, extracts of plants, amino acids and numerous functional ingredients selected to support the general health, the stress, the immune system, the articulations and the energetic problems.