LONDON — European dog food company The Rockster is bringing its bio-organic, superfood products for dogs to the United States. The company’s products will be distributed by Phillips Pet Food & Supplies to more than 120 independent pet retail locations throughout the country.
With its debut, The Rockster will serve as the only dog food in the United States that is certified bio-organic, an extremely strict European organic food standard, according to the company. Pet foods that are certified bio-organic in Europe must meet high standards and be made using only unprocessed, raw, human-grade ingredients that are free from antibiotics, chemicals, growth hormones, pesticides and steroids.
Husband-and-wife duo Sven and Zoe Ley founded the company after adopting a street dog, called Rockster, from Naples, Italy. The couple was determined to create an organic superfood to support their dog’s microbiome and gut health, without the use of any antibiotics or other chemicals used in agriculture.
“At Rockster we believe our dogs are our rocks in life, and what they eat is the single most important decision they trust us to make for them,” Zoe Ley said. “Our family’s commitment to innovation and helping dogs live long and healthy lives is absolute and we hope that our unprecedented transparency is a step in encouraging 100% ingredient transparency in the pet food industry and a reduction in the systemic use of antibiotics in agriculture. No dog was ever born allergic to beef or chicken, and it is tragic to see exponential increase in immune system-related diseases in our pets.”
The Rockster leverages nutritional science to create its recipes, establishing “new standards in ultra-premium food for dogs,” according to the company. The company’s products include complete-and-balanced wet dog foods boasting bio-organic certification. Recipes include: salmon-based A Fisherman’s Dream, beef-based Boeuf Du Cap, chicken-based Chickenrella, wild venison-based Sound of Game, duck-based Duck a la Royale, and lamb-based Sunday Roast. The formulas can be served as a complete-and-balanced meal or as a supplement mixed into a dog’s existing food.
The dog food contains at least 80% bio-organic meat, which cannot be exposed to any antibiotics or growth hormones; as well as bio-organic, plant-based superfoods. They also contain fermented Jerusalem artichoke concentrate, which serves as a superfood and provides prebiotics to help support nutrient absorption and microbiome health in dogs. The formulas are free from grains, peas, lentils and legumes, making them suitable for dogs that are prone to allergies, according to The Rockster.
To ensure bio-organic certification, The Rockster sourcing ingredients that have not been exposed or consumed any antibiotics, growth hormones or chemicals. To create its products, the company gently poaches its formulas in air-tight, BPA-free tin containers using extremely low temperatures, creating a sous-vide style product. According to The Rockster, this cooking method helps maintain nutrients and fatty acids to provide dogs with optimal nutrition and natural flavors.
In its quest to provide dogs with ultra-premium nutrition, The Rockster also strives to support the environment. For example, the company’s BPA-free tin containers feature paper-free labeling. Its production is also carbon-neutral, and the company does not use any plastic materials.
Phillips Pet Food & Supplies will exclusively distribute The Rockster’s products to retailers throughout the United States. According to Phillips, it has been eager to partner with the bio-organic dog food company.
“Phillips is excited to be working with the Ley Family to finally bring the super-premium Rockster brand exclusively to our customers in the United States,” said Jessica Morris, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Phillips Pet Food & Supplies. “The Rockster story and the development of this family-operated company are inspiring. The pet industry, influenced by human health and wellness trends, is seeing more health-focused products like Rockster, which is committed to transparency, traceability and the highest quality ingredients.”
Read more news from pet food manufacturers.