Behind Our Natural Choice

THE IMPORTANCE OF A NATURAL PRESERVATION
The whole Farmina Vet Life and Natural & Delicious range are preserved exclusively with natural antioxidants (tocopherol rich extracts) which maintain the quality of our food in total natural respect.

Preservatives and antioxidants mainly are compounds with the ability to delay, prevent, reduce or eliminate oxidative damage on food. Since the antiquity, humankind added compounds with preservative power to food, especially adding spices was one of the few useful methods to preserve food and prevent damage, mostly in warmer areas. Some of the nutrients of food can quickly run into oxidation: lipids, generally, have a greater tendency to lose electrons and self-oxidize leading to an alteration of colour, flavour, texture, quality, genuineness and safety of food. For example, oxidation may alter Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) or fat-soluble vitamins, causing significant changes in food quality. At the same time, the formation of volatile odoriferous compounds and hydroxy acids can affect aroma and flavour. 

 
Dietary antioxidants preserve the food and also have a benefic effect on animals that eat them: on a body level antioxidants can reduce damages caused by free radicals and, in general, by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) also they counteract cellular ageing, reducing the risk of chronic and degenerative diseases onset, often linked to oxidative stress. Therefore, we accomplished our aim of naturalness through the replacement of classical artificial antioxidants with only natural antioxidants.
 
Artificial preservatives like BHA and BHT could have adverse effects on the health of our animals, even though some of them could be seen only in a long term period and as a result of accumulation. Humans have been developing synthetic antioxidants since 1940 to stabilize gats and oils, preventing rancidity. Generally, they have better antioxidant action and are more readily bioavailable than natural antioxidants. TBHQ, BHA, BHT are the artificial antioxidants mainly used in food, and their effect on health is still controversial. Several studies showed the existence of a correlation between the intake of such compounds and some alterations of animal organs to which they are administered, especially if at high dosage. Literature reports side effects like suppressive effects on leptin-dependent satiety circuits, chromosomal and spermatic abnormalities and interference with prostaglandin synthesis and immune response. Other side effects include induction of microsomal H2O2 formation, reduced contractility of smooth and cardiac muscle and influence in lipid metabolism and vitamin E levels. Transient elevation of plasma lipids and cholesterol; promotion of gastric, bladder, thyroid, and lung carcinomas onset; induction of hyperplasia and gastric cytotoxicity and liver, thyroid, adrenal glands and lungs hypertrophy.
 
These are the reasons why we decided to add to our formulas exclusively natural antioxidants, found in natural sources. It includes carotenoids, retinoids (Vitamin A), bioflavonoids (Citrin), polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol), tocopherols (Vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). They are added in all our range both during the storage of raw materials and in the finished product. Many vegetables are naturally rich in antioxidants, such as some cereals (oats), beetroots and potatoes, fruits like pomegranate and orange but mostly some berries (blueberry, currant) and green tea. Natural antioxidants can be added to food in higher quantities than artificial ones, as safety limits are higher; this implies higher production costs for the company which uses them, however, justified by a higher healthiness.

Finally, as a further guarantee of perfect and ideal preservability, all Farmina Vet Life and Natural & Delicious range are packed in a protective atmosphere to prevent fats oxidation further and maintain flavour and freshness, keeping the product fresh as just baked. This technology is primarily used also in the human food industry as nitrogen is a volatile gas naturally present we breathe daily.