Certified salmon oil product launched 'for the pet owner that reads labels'
Company opts to source from ASC producers as US buyers become 'increasingly scrupulous'
The first Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified salmon oil pet product has been launched in the United States.
‘Only Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats’ is on sale at more than 1,600 Walmart stores and is aimed at shoppers who want third-party certified products for their four-legged friends.
“A growing majority of pet parents prioritise transparency and third-party verified sustainability claims, confirming they care about what they buy and how it impacts the climate and oceans, as well as their pets’ health,” said Donie Yamamoto, chief executive and co-founder of Only Salmon Oil supplier, Vital Pet Life.
“We formulated Only Salmon Oil for the pet owner who reads labels and asks questions about where these products come from. We chose to source ASC-certified salmon and highlight the ASC label on Our Only Salmon Oil to demonstrate the highest assurance and strictest standards behind our product. We're proud to bring this level of transparency to Walmart shelves nationwide.”
Skin and coat health
Fish-based products are gaining particular interest in the pet sector for their omega-3 benefits linked to skin and coat health, say Vital Pet Life and the ASC.
They add that demand for clean, healthy, high-quality pet products is growing, with one in three pet owners reportedly spending more on their pets than their own health each month, according to a survey of 1,500 pet owners commissioned by US News & World Report. Against such a background, there is a major benefit to clearly communicating value and trust at point of sale through certification labels that represent real, measurable impact.
Scrupulous shoppers
“Pet owners have become increasingly scrupulous of the ingredients that are in the food, treats and supplements they feed their furry friends,” said Erica Tardiff, market development manager for the ASC in the US.
“Having the ASC label on packaging assures that the fish used in those pet products is not only farmed with care, but traceable. Just like the seafood we eat, people want to know that their pets’ products have a high level of integrity. Vital Pet Life sets an example for the industry by diligently sourcing and testing their ingredients, showing that companies can drive meaningful change with transparent business practices and science-based collaboration.”
Only Salmon Oil joins a number of other ASC-labelled pet products in the US, and it is the first pet supplement oil to carry the label in the country.
