What To

Look For

On Pack

Most people try to buy Australian products where they can, but when it comes down to brass tacks, what’s the real benefit of supporting local companies? 

The Australian Difference

Apart from the obvious benefits of supporting local business and protecting Australian jobs, there’s also a whole lot of other pro’s when it comes to buying local. 

Freshness

A product which has been grown and packed here usually arrives on shelves fast, in contrast with imported items which often spend months on shipping containers to get here. Many imported items usually add preservatives or other additives to their products to make sure they survive the long journey to the customer. 

Nutrients

Imported pet foods may be exposed to irradiation when they enter Australia’s biosecurity zone, which protects us from external pests and diseases that may be present in the shipment. Unfortunately, this irradiation process impacts the natural nutrients in the product, so it’s likely that an imported pig’s ear won’t have the same nutritional benefits as a local one. 

Animal Welfare

In Australia, we follow strict guidelines in our livestock farming practises to ensure our animals have been raised under the highest welfare conditions. Our farms are independently audited many times each year to ensure they are meeting the standards.  Imported products may not be subject to the same animal welfare standards we abide by in Australia, so you can never be sure that the manufacturer has treated their livestock ethically and humanely. 

It’s Australian! But wait, is it really? 

Sadly, the majority of pet treats you find on shelves in supermarkets or pet specialty stores are imported. What’s frightening about it is how good they are at giving the impression they are Australian. Here’s some of the techniques we’ve seen used out there to create a false impression of an Australian product: 

 

Colours or design 

We’ve seen lots of examples of companies using iconic Australian colours on their packaging to create an impression that the product is local. This could be things like green and gold colours, images which look like a classic Australian landscapes or featuring classic Australian dog breeds.

Vague Origin Statements
Many companies have an Australian element in their production process, and they’re very good at highlighting this on their packaging. They may emphasise that they are ‘Australian Owned’, but this doesn’t mean the product in the pack isn’t imported, or they might say ‘Australian Made’ when the company is owned by an overseas entity. These vague statements focus on one element of their production, which hides the truth about their product origins in plain sight. 

Icons/Maps 
We all love our Aussie maps, and unfortunately the guidelines on using the shape of Australia on pet food packaging are quite loose. Certain logos such as the Country of Origin Green & Gold Kangaroo are restricted, however there’s not much stopping manufacturers from creating their own Australia map and using it in a design. Combined with vague origin statements about being Australian Owned or Australian Made, they can achieve the overall impression of being 100% local when they aren’t. 

How to spot REAL Aussie treats:

Sadly, the majority of pet treats you find on shelves in supermarkets or pet specialty stores are imported. What’s frightening about it is how good they are at giving the impression they are Australian. Here’s some of the techniques we’ve seen used out there to create a false impression of an Australian product: 
  1. Looks for the Australian made logo. Use of this logo is restricted to those companies which meet local ownership and manufacturing requirements. 
  2. Be wary of incomplete or vague statements – the product will clearly and proudly say Australian owned, grown and made without hiding behind half-truths. 
  3. Look for the statement ‘Must not be fed to cats’. This statement must be added to any pet treat that has been irradiated upon entry to Australia. Australian made treats like ours are not irradiated.

There are so many reasons to support Australian products, and it’s frustrating to know that you may unknowingly be purchasing imported pet treats. Stay informed and read between the lines before you take a treat home, as your pup will thank you for it when they get fresher, tastier treats which still have their natural nutritional benefits.