SAFETY HAS NO SHORTCUTS
Platinum Food Safety Standards
Every Vital Essentials product is made in our own facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
As a team full of pet parents who feed Vital Essentials to our own dogs and cats, safety and quality are our top priorities.
INGREDIENTS
Sourced from a network of carefully vetted, USDA-inspected suppliers certified by Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) or other third parties.
Come with a Letter of Guarantee and HACCP control documents ensuring safety and quality.
In a blast freezer within 45 minutes of harvest to lock in nutrients.
Held below freezing temperature from beginning to end.
FACILITY & MANUFACTURING
We are the largest freeze-drying facility for pet food in the United States, located in Green Bay, WI.
Strict protocols for safety including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans.
Certifications include Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) FSSC22000, EU, and Gluten-Free.
TESTING & SANITATION
Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) in place to keep products and facility safe from cross contamination.
Full compliance with FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Zero Tolerance guidelines.
Quality control personnel conduct sampling at several points throughout production, ensuring all specifications are met.
OUR TEAM OF PET FOOD EXPERTS
Vital Essentials' commitment to food safety and quality is unwavering. Our leadership team boasts over 75 years of experience in pet food over a large number of successful brands and goes to great lengths to bring talented, highly qualified individuals to Vital Essentials.
Our Research & Development/Nutrition team includes a number of nutrition and product quality experts devoted to the freeze-dried pet food space. This team is also supported by an independent PhD Animal Nutritionist with over 40 years of experience in formulating diets for pets and exotic animals, as well as two independent veterinarians (DVM) who consult on nutrition, packaging, and consumer affairs.
Our Operations and Manufacturing teams are comprised of many food safety, quality, and manufacturing professionals. This team's leaders hold multiple degrees and independent certifications in food science, nutrition, quality assurance, and safe manufacturing practices.
Nothing is more important to us than the safety and quality of our products. All of our teams work together to ensure the nutritional soundness and the safety and quality of our products, because we believe your pets deserve the best.
HEATHER GOVEA
Chief Executive Officer
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
CAMERON BAKER
Vice President of Technical Services
Bachelor of Science - Food Science & Technology
Bachelor of Science - Nutritional Science
KYLE KELVINGTON
Director of Food Safety and Quality
Bachelor of Science - Food & Nutritional Sciences
Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, PCQI Certified, HACCP Certified
STEVEN JAKEMAN
Director of Research & Development
Bachelor of Science - Food Science
Master of Science - Food Science
ASHLYN LANE
Consumer Experience Manager
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Every Bowl Gives Back
We give back a cut of profits to charities, especially those caring for the dogs and cats of the world.
