This Application Note explains why and how instrumental color measurement is used in pet food manufacturing to ensure consistent appearance, regulatory compliance, and brand trust. It outlines the challenges associated with highly heterogeneous pet food products, highlights the role of objective color data as an early indicator of process change, and demonstrates recommended HunterLab solutions and implementation strategies for measuring color across raw materials, processing stages, and finished products
Color is a quality and safety indicator—not just a cosmetic attribute
In pet food production, unexpected color changes can signal process drift, moisture issues, coating non-uniformity, or ingredient variation. Instrumental color measurement provides a fast, objective early-warning signal that supports HACCP-based decision making and reduces the risk of waste, rework, or product release errors.
Sample heterogeneity drives instrument and method selection
Pet food products range from homogeneous wet foods to highly non-uniform samples such as kibble, treats, and raw or freeze-dried diets. Selecting the appropriate measurement approach—contact vs. non-contact, small vs. large sampling area—is essential to obtaining representative, repeatable color data.
The Application Note highlights recommended solutions for both homogeneous and highly textured products.
Consistent color data supports regulatory compliance and brand protection:
Regulatory authorities in the US, EU, and other regions closely control permitted color additives and labelling claims. Objective, repeatable color measurement helps QA teams document compliance, respond confidently to audits, and demonstrate that finished products consistently meet declared color and appearance expectations—protecting both regulatory standing and consumer trust
Pet food color measurement is a fast, objective way to monitor product consistency, process stability, and regulatory compliance across highly variable products such as kibble, wet foods, treats, and raw diets. Instrumental color data helps detect early process drift, supports HACCP-based quality decisions, and ensures finished products meet declared appearance expectations. Selecting the right measurement approach for heterogeneous samples is critical to obtaining representative, repeatable results and protecting brand trust.
Download the Application Note below.
To learn more about Color and Color Science in industrial QC applications, click here: Fundamentals of Color and Appearance
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