PET FOODS COMPRISING GRAVY TOPPING COMPRISING METHYLCELLULOSE AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH PET FOODS.

Abstract

A multi-layered pet food may contain a first edible composition, which is a gravy comprising methylcellulose; and a second edible composition having a flat top surface on which the gravy is placed. A method for preparing a multi-layered pet food may include: preparing a first edible composition, which is a gravy comprising methylcellulose, at a first temperature; pouring the gravy into a container; heating the gravy in the container to a second temperature to gel the gravy; and pouring a second edible composition on and over the first layer. The multi-layered pet food may be fed to a pet, such as a companion animal.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a multi-layered pet food comprising: 5 preparing a first edible composition which is a gravy comprising from 0.1% by weight to 5.0% by weight of methylcellulose, at a first temperature, characterized in that the first temperature is from 10°C to 26°C; pouring a first layer comprising the gravy into a container; heating the container comprising the gravy to a second temperature to gel the gravy; pouring into the container, on top of the first layer, a second layer comprising a second edible composition, wherein the first layer and the second layer are discrete layers.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises transporting the container from a pouring location to a heating zone after the pouring of the first layer and before heating.

3. The method according to claim 2; characterized in that the heating zone comprises an infrared heat source.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the infrared heat source is configured below the container.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transporting the container to a non-heating zone after heating and before pouring the second layer.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the gravy sauce comprising from 0.1% to 6.0% by weight of galactomannan.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the galactomannan as guar.

8. The method according to Remindication 1, characterized in that the gravy sauce further comprises an additional component in an amount less than 10% by weight.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the additional component is selected from the group consisting of a salt, a sugar, an amino acid, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second temperature is from 30°C to 70°C.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer is 5% to 20% of the total weight of the pet food.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises sealing the container comprising the first layer and the second layer.

13. The method according to claim 1.2, characterized in that it further comprises subjecting the sealed container to retort.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second edible composition is selected from a loaf-type food, a meat emulsion, and a mousse, 15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second layer comprising the second edible composition is substantially covered by the first layer comprising the gravy sauce when the container is inverted and the pet food is removed from the container.

16. A multi-layered pet food comprising: a first edible composition being a gravy comprising 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of methyl mosa and 0.1% to 5.0% by weight of guar gum; and a second edible composition, characterized in that the first edible composition and the second edible composition are discrete layers.

17. The multi-layered pet food according to claim 16, characterized in that the second edible composition is a meat emulsion.

18. The multi-layered pet food according to claim 16, characterized in that the weight ratio of the first edible composition to the second edible composition is from 20:80 to 40:

60. 19.A system for preparing a multi-layered pet food comprising: a container loading station; a first pourer for dispensing a first layer comprising a first edible composition into the container; a heating unit comprising a heat source; a second pourer for dispensing a second layer comprising a second edible composition into the container and on top of the first layer; a lid fixing station; and a weighing station for weighing the container comprising the first and second layers.

20. The system of claim 19, characterized in that the heat source is an infrared heat source,