SOFT WET EXPANDED PET FOOD HAVING EXPANDED SKIN AND DENSE CENTER AND PRODUCTION THEREOF

摘要

PUFFED SOFT MOIST PET FOOD PRODUCT HAVING AN EXPANDED SHELL WITH A DENSE CENTER AND PROCESS OF PRODUCING THE SAME This invention relates to a soft moist pet food product comprising particles having an expanded shell with a dense, elastic structure in the center of the product and a process for producing the same. The product is formulated from a proteinaceous-farinaceous mixture having a level of farinaceous component of at least about 40% by weight of the pet food product, typically 60 to 85% by weight of the pet food product. The moisture content is adjusted to a level sufficient to extrude the mixture and extruded under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to convert the mixture to a thermoplastic or flowable state. The mixture while in a flowable condition is extruded through a restricted orifice into a confinement zone and confined while in a flowable state. The mixture in this condition is injected into a compression zone wherein the mixture is cooled to a product temperature of about 100 - 180.degree.F, compressed and formed into a product having a dense elastic structure. The dense product is then heated wherein the exterior surface of the product is expanded to provide a product of reduced bulk density having an expanded shell but retaining a dense elastic interior.