Clean label, B Corp: Pet companies gain new sustainability credentials

More pet companies have earned B Corp certification, which recognizes businesses that meet standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. The B Corp community now includes more than 10,000 certified businesses worldwide.

MPM Products

UK-based pet food group MPM Products, whose brands include Applaws, Reveal and Encore, announced on 2 October that it had renewed its B Corp certification under B Lab’s new standards. The company said it is 1 of 20 businesses in the first UK cohort to certify under the revised requirements.

The standards require companies to meet performance thresholds across all 7 core impact areas, including climate action, human rights and fair work, with third-party verification. MPM first became B Corp certified in 2021, and this marks its third certification.

The company highlighted a new Climate Action Plan, packaging that is more than 92% recyclable and over 7.7 million pet meals donated since 2021 among its initiatives. Its priorities include strengthening human rights due diligence and developing a pathway toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

PetAg

Illinois-based pet nutrition company PetAg has earned the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal for its dietary supplement portfolio. The seal recognizes companies that meet the council’s standards for quality, product safety and continuous improvement.

According to the company, the certification aligns with its broader strategy of providing trusted nutritional solutions backed by robust quality systems, manufacturing controls and regulatory compliance.

“We believe the certification will further strengthen confidence among retailers, veterinarians, distributors, and consumers by providing independent validation of our commitment to quality, safety, and compliance,” Stephane Boghossian, PetAg’s Director of Research and Development, tells GlobalPETS.

“While our primary focus remains delivering high-quality products to our customers, the NASC Quality Seal provides an additional level of assurance that may help support future growth opportunities across existing and emerging channels,” he says.

To earn the seal, companies must pass the NASC Audit certification program, which evaluates quality control procedures, product labeling, adverse event reporting and compliance with the council’s standards. Certified companies must also undergo random independent product testing and participate in annual NASC training.

Go Raw

The parent company of Steve’s Real Food has officially become a B Corp company after scoring 89.2 in the impact assessment. Founded in 1998, Steve’s Real Food claims to be the US’s first commercially available balanced raw food for pets.

According to Nicole Lindsley, CEO of Go Raw, the certification recognizes more than a decade of intentional work to build a company that serves pets, people, communities and the planet.

“From the ingredients we source to the way we support our employees, retail partners and communities, we’ve always believed that success isn’t measured solely by what we sell, but by the positive impact we create,” says Lindsley.

Actus Nutrition

American ingredient manufacturer Actus Nutrition has earned B Corp status with an overall assessment score of 81.2.

“We’ve always believed that how a company operates matters just as much as what it produces,” said David Lenzmeier, Chief Executive Officer of Actus Nutrition. According to the company, the certification reflects its ongoing investments in employee development, community engagement, environmental initiatives and responsible business practices.

Founded in 1945 in Minnesota, Actus Nutrition is a vertically integrated manufacturer of nutritional ingredients for health and wellness products and a co-manufacturer for household brands. The company also has a presence in the pet and livestock feed industries.

PAWD Drinks

London-based pet wellness company PAWD Drinks, which specializes in liquid health supplements, is now B Corp certified with an assessment score of 85.1.

“At PAWD DRINKS, our mission has always been to support the emotional wellbeing and long-term health of dogs,” the company says in a LinkedIn post. “B Corp certification is proof that the way we pursue that mission meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.”

Founded in 2023, PAWD Drinks offers calming supplements for dogs in liquid and powder formats, as well as a calming collar.

Clean Label Project Purity Award

Texas-based fresh dog food brand Maev has earned the Clean Label Project Purity Award for its Beef, Chicken and Lamb Whole Ingredient Food. The company notes that its newly released Nordic Fish recipe was not included, as it has not yet been tested.

The Purity Award is a third-party recognition from independent nonprofit Clean Label Project. It tests finished products for contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides and plasticizers and is reserved for products that perform among the top one-third of those tested within their category.

“We built Maev around giving them clear answers: whole ingredients they can see, thoughtful sourcing and formulation, and rigorous testing. Earning this award adds meaningful independent validation to that work, and we’re more motivated than ever to continue raising the bar for our dogs,” says Katie Spies, Founder and CEO of Maev.

BIXBI Pet

Clean Label Project has certified six cat kibble recipes from Colorado-based pet food player BIXBI Pet.

The latest certifications bring BIXBI’s total number of Clean Label Project-certified dog and cat kibble recipes to 19, just two months after the company received its first certifications for dog kibble.

BIXBI CEO Rachel D’Agostino says the company aims to obtain certification for its entire product range by the end of 2027.

The certification process involves testing products for contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides and other chemical contaminants. Clean Label Project bases its assessments on standards derived from California’s Proposition 65, European Union regulations, US state and federal regulations, and its own category-specific data.