HPP ProcessUpdated 7 months ago
As part of our food safety program, we use HPP (high-pressure processing), otherwise known as cold-pressure processing. High-pressure processing is a 100% natural, non-thermal technology that employs ultra-high water pressure to neutralize food-borne pathogens such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella. This methodology does not use heat, chemicals, non-natural additives, or preservatives but rather pressure to reduce the presence of dangerous pathogens. HPP is a USDA-recognized anti-pathogen step. (The FDA has a zero-tolerance rule for harmful pathogens in raw pet food...if raw pet food companies do not use a pathogen-reduction step and their food tests positive for dangerous strains of bacteria, they can have their food recalled and, worse, be shut down.)
While dogs and cats can handle bacteria in ways humans can't, HPP offers extra peace of mind while feeding raw in the home. HPP is used by many reputable raw pet food companies (Instinct, Primal, Nature's Variety, Steve's, Stella & Chewys, etc) because it is a natural way to reduce harmful bacteria while preserving nutrients. Studies show that there is no effect on the food's naturally occurring enzymes of interest. Many critics of HPP cite studies that show foods with a holding time of 60 minutes or more. We use only a 180-second hold time.
Some people who are misinformed about HPP will say that if it eliminates bad bacteria, it must also do the same to good bacteria. This is not the case. Various species of lactic acid bacteria considered probiotics resist high pressure. Species of lactic acid bacteria surviving HPP might be a natural approach to inhibit the growth of pathogenic spore formers in HPP meat products for human consumption.
Unfortunately, there is also a lot of misinformation that states that HPP "sterilizes" meat, but this is inaccurate. Meats that have gone through HPP are still 100% considered raw because the meat is not exposed to high temperatures, which denatures the proteins. Companies who use HPP have to incur an extra cost, but we all think it is worth it for the safety of the dogs we are feeding and the pet owners who are feeding it.
While dogs and cats can handle bacteria in ways humans can't, HPP offers extra peace of mind while feeding raw in the home. HPP is used by many reputable raw pet food companies (Instinct, Primal, Nature's Variety, Steve's, Stella & Chewys, etc) because it is a natural way to reduce harmful bacteria while preserving nutrients. Studies show that there is no effect on the food's naturally occurring enzymes of interest. Many critics of HPP cite studies that show foods with a holding time of 60 minutes or more. We use only a 180-second hold time.
Some people who are misinformed about HPP will say that if it eliminates bad bacteria, it must also do the same to good bacteria. This is not the case. Various species of lactic acid bacteria considered probiotics resist high pressure. Species of lactic acid bacteria surviving HPP might be a natural approach to inhibit the growth of pathogenic spore formers in HPP meat products for human consumption.
Unfortunately, there is also a lot of misinformation that states that HPP "sterilizes" meat, but this is inaccurate. Meats that have gone through HPP are still 100% considered raw because the meat is not exposed to high temperatures, which denatures the proteins. Companies who use HPP have to incur an extra cost, but we all think it is worth it for the safety of the dogs we are feeding and the pet owners who are feeding it.
Quality is of the highest importance to us. Our food is all made from USDA human-grade meats with no fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Our lamb and venison are sourced from New Zealand, pasture-raised, grass-fed, and grass-finished. Everything else is sourced from farms we trust in the USA. All of our recipes are blended and packaged in the USA. All We Feed Raw products are produced in a USDA-certified facility with strict compliance requirements of BRC-safe quality food manufacturing.
For more information on the HPP process, please follow this link: https://www.wefeedraw.com/blog/hppd-raw-food-the-safest-choice-for-your-pup