Sabinsa sets out its animal nutrition stall as it enters market
Shaheen Majeed, marketing director at Sabinsa, told us the decline in antibiotic use in the feed industry in tandem with calls for higher standards of animal welfare in livestock operations globally is ensuring a more holistic approach to raising farmed animals - a factor that also incentivized the supplier to enter the sector.
“There is a high level of consumer awareness of the impact of probiotics on maintaining immune health, for example, so it will make perfect sense to them to seek out animals raised using probiotics and other beneficial nutrients,” he said.
Phytogenic and herbal products have been the focus of increased attention in the livestock production sector in recent years as the hunt continues for antibiotic substitutes and strategies for animal growth promotion and disease prevention.
The literatures indicates the beneficial effects of bioactive plant substances in animal nutrition may include the stimulation of appetite and feed intake, the improvement of endogenous digestive enzyme secretion, activation of immune responses and antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant actions (Toghyani et al., 2010, 2011).
Nutrition toolbox
Sabinsa, with headquarters in New Jersey and operations in India and Utah, has over 100 ingredients in its human nutrition toolbox – about 20 of these, it said, have animal health applications and adhere to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) guidelines and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CFRs for animal nutrition.
“This has allowed us to be extremely focused on bringing out precisely crafted nutrients, flavors, spices, seasonings, enzymes and probiotics for animals and pets,” said the group.
While pet nutrition will be the initial focus of the new VetVitals division due, mainly, to the huge crossover potential between companion animal and human nutrition, Majeed said Sabinsa has also been investing in livestock feeding trials to investigate performance and "build the clinical evidence" for its ingredients in the farmed animal sector.
The company’s newly developed black pepper ingredient, VetPerine, is said to increase nutrient absorption in pets as well as boost weight gain in livestock animals.
The VetVitals line-up also includes ingredients such as Sabinsa's well-established turmeric extract, Curcumin C3 Complex, aimed at improving joint health. “Many pets need joint support. It is also useful for alleviating temporary inflammation due to intense physical activity such as with show horses and dogs,” added the marketing director.
