The industrial pet food market is worth over €3 billion in Italy and is growing steadily. Packaging requirements are similar to human food — hygiene, shelf life, presentation — but with specific requirements related to the product and materials.
Pet food types and packaging technologies
Pet food divides into wet (canned, trays, pouches) and dry (kibbles, biscuits). Each format requires a different technology.
- Wet pet food in tray: MAP tray sealer (N₂/CO₂) — shelf life 18-24 months
- Wet pet food in pouch: vertical or horizontal heat sealer
- Loose kibbles: VFFS vertical packaging machine with nitrogen
- Snacks and treats: tray sealer or flowpack bag with MAP
- Frozen pet food: vacuum + shrink wrap
Specific requirements for pet food packaging
Pet food machines must meet the same hygiene standards as human food: stainless steel, no accumulation zones, CIP cleaning. Packaging materials must comply with EC Reg. 10/2011 on materials in contact with animal food.
A critical aspect is easy-peel resistance, highly demanded by consumers of single-portion tray pet food.
- AISI 304 or 316L steel: minimum standard for all contact parts
- Packaging materials: compliant with EC Reg. 10/2011
- Easy-peel: calibrated sealing for one-move openability
- Oxygen barrier: OTR < 1 cm³/m²/day for wet pet food
Shelf life and storage of pet food
Pasteurised wet pet food in MAP tray or can has a shelf life of 18-36 months at ambient temperature. Fresh or frozen pet food requires a continuous cold chain: refrigerated shelf life 7-14 days, frozen 12-18 months.
- MAP wet pet food in tray: 12-24 months at ambient temperature
- Fresh refrigerated pet food: 7-14 days at +4°C
- Frozen vacuum pet food: 12-18 months at -18°C
- Kibbles in nitrogen bag: 12-18 months
Looking for a pet food packaging line?
From single-portion trays to high-speed automatic lines: we design the solution for your product.
Request a consultationExplore solutions