A new era for innovation and education in fresher nutrition
Why did we create RPF Fresh(labs)?
Our loved companions may be living longer, but not better.
Chronic disease and illness are said to be rising. (1) Quality of life is said to be declining.
Science says we can help protect our pet's health through nutrition.(2)
Fresh(labs) scientists believe our companion’s health can be protected and improved through fresher nutrition.
And that’s why we exist. Because when we improve our companion's health, they will live better for longer and we all live happier.
(1) Skin diseases - AVMA. https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.06.0391/javma.25.06.0391.xml, Obesity - Banfield, State of Health 2012, https://www.dvm360.com/view/the-pet-obesity-epidemic-are-we-loving-our-pets-to-death. Cancer - Comparative oncology: what dogs and other species can teach us about humans with cancer Joshua D Schiffman, Matthew Breen. Diabetes - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10825498_Time_Trends_and_Risk_Factors_for_Diabetes_Mellitus_in_Dogs_Analysis_of_Veterinary_Medical_Data_Base_Records_1970-1999
(2) Nutrition is key to health - https://ebooks.publish.csiro.au/content/animal-nutrition, Landecker H. Food as exposure: nutritional epigenetics and the new metabolism. Biosocieties. 2011;6(2):167–194. https://doi.org/10.1057/biosoc.2011.1, Scientific dog feeding for good health and its preparation: A review. https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue3/PartW/6
*Many of the above statements come from studies that have been published in academic peer reviewed papers, books or research by other organisations. The maintenance and improvement of a pet’s health depends on many factors. Fresher nutrition is being shown to have a role in this.It’s important to remember that science continues to evolve and readers should always do their own research and talk to their vets about the health of their pets.
What is the purpose of RPF Fresh(labs)?
RPF Fresh(labs) purpose is to pioneer research, education and inspiration for the accelerated consumption of fresh nutrition to improve pets’ quality of life across Asia-Pacific.
What are RPF Fresh(labs) priorities?
Research + Investments
Education + Inspiration
Innovation + Commercialisation
Advocacy + Engagement
leaders, advocates and organisations the
benefits and science
behind fresher nutrition.
Expansion
“Pets may be living longer but research shows their healthspan – their years lived in good health - are declining. Evidence points to diet as a key driver, and when we add fresh nutrition to our pet’s diets, it’s shown to help protect and extend healthspans. That is why RPF is investing heavily in Fresh(labs) to accelerate the science and education so pet parents and professionals have the knowledge they need to give their pets a healthier life.”
Ms Germaine Chua
Chair Fresh(labs). Group CEO, RPF.
RPF Fresh(labs) is proud to be supporting University of Helsinki's DogRisk program and underwriting and helping to accelerate the much needed CatRisk research program and Massey Universities feline and canine nutrition programs through its Fresher Futures scholarship fund.
What is the HEALTHSPAN?
The HEALTHSPAN is the part of a pet’s lifespan lived in good health - the years when they can move easily, think clearly, and enjoy life without the burden of chronic disease.
Today, pet quality of life is in decline too quickly. Many things impact a pet's quality of life, the latest science shows nutrition is a key factor.(1) Our vision is to help protect healthspans and build resilient systems of health, so pets enjoy a higher quality of life for longer.
Problem: Today, quality of life declines too rapidly over lifespan.
Solution: The HEALTHSPAN is resilient over lifespan improving quality of life.
(1) Landecker H. Food as exposure: nutritional epigenetics and the new metabolism. Biosocieties. 2011;6(2):167–194. https://doi.org/10.1057/biosoc.2011.1 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7602120/ https://ebooks.publish.csiro.au/content/animal-nutrition
What is fresher nutrition?
Fresher nutrition includes premium natural kibble+ freeze dried, premium natural kibble+ air dried, freeze dried and air-dried meals and treats, gently cooked fresh chilled meals and raw frozen foods. RPF makes all of this including high quality premium kibble and wet foods.
RPF offers a full spectrum of fresher nutrition and premium natural foods to meet all the needs of its parents and their companions.
And this matters, because we believe giving pet parents the choice to add fresher nutrition to their premium natural foods offers an easy and affordable way to help improve their pet’s quality of life.
How does fresher nutrition support the HEALTHSPAN?
The HEALTHSPAN model covers 7 interconnected health systems that nutrition plays a key role in.
While the science continues to evolve, what we know today is that when we combine fresher foods with high quality premium kibbles or we feed fresher nutrition alone, we build more resilient health systems. Below are some published studies that show how fresher nutrition can help to protect a pet's quality of life.* Fresh(labs) independent board and team of scientists and RPF technicians are collaborating with the world’s leading independent universities on this.
One study from the worlds leading independent university program of canine research, Dogrisk at the University of Helsinki, looked at data from 3,064 dogs and explored 26 different variables that could lead to chronic skin disease. They found when just 20% of a puppy's bowl of food included fresh nutrition, it reduced the prevalence of skin conditions as they grew older. (1)
Dental/Oral
Protect their teeth
and mouth for life.
The Australian RSPCA says 70% of cats and 80% of dogs experience some level of dental disease by the time they are three years of age.(2)
Feeding fresh nutrition to your dog in the early stages of their life, was found to significantly lowers the risk of developing dental calculus later in life. DOGRISK.(3)
Metabolic & Hormonal
Protect against obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
Around 1 in 5 dogs will deal with a metabolic or hormonal health condition. 41% of dogs and 32% of cats in Australia are either overweight or obese.(4)
Fresher diets have been found to lower
blood triglyceride levels which is said to help
protect against obesity, diabetes and
other chronic illnesses that shorten
your pets healthspan.(5)
Skin & Coat
Protect their ability to move and play.
Up to 27% of dogs and 33% of cats present to vets with atopy (skin allergy) conditions.(6)
A fresher diet has been shown to increase skin alpha diversity which has been shown to improve the protective barrier of the skin microbiome and reduces the risk of allergies and diseases.(7)
Musculoskeletal & Mobility
Protect their ability to move and play.
Hip dysplasia affects up to 20% of dogs and 10% of cats. Depending on breed and age it can affect up to 70% of some dog breeds.(8)
A fresher diet fed to puppies can protect against hip dysplasia as they grow. One study of German Shepard puppies found that when fed fresher food in the early stages of life, it was protective of chronic hip dysplasia as they grew older. The scientists found a significant difference between hip dysplastic and non- dysplastic dogs even if only a part of the dog’s diet was fresher food.(9)
Gut & Microbiome
Protect their gut and build their health.
Around 60% of dogs and cats will deal with a gastrointestinal issue at some point in their life – including vomiting/diarrhea, chronic enteropathies, IBD, pancreatitis, dysbiosis, parasites, hairballs, vomiting, constipation, CKD-related GI signs.(10)
Fresher nutrition has been shown to create a rich diversity of beneficial gut bacteria supporting digestion, immunity, and protecting against GI upsets. Fresher nutrition in some studies has been shown to help create a rich diversity of beneficial gut bacteria which is said to support digestion, immunity, and help protect against GI upsets.(11)
Cognitive & Nervous
Protect their ability to stay alert, calm and active.
Free radicals and lipid oxidation are silent but powerful drivers of disease and pose a particular risk to the cells of the nervous and immune systems, and they are even thought to contribute to the progression of many diseases and the onset of premature ageing. The danger is cumulative, often hidden.(12)
A fresher diet is said to protect against free radicals, supporting their ability to age well. A recent study of senior large breed dogs found that when fed a fresher diet it helped the dogs’ bodies shift from “storing and inflaming” to “fuelling and repairing” meaning it helps muscle maintenance, sharper brain energy, healthier heart and metabolism, lower cellular stress and inflammation and improved resilience against age-related decline(13)
Immune + Inflammatory
Protect their immunity.
60% plus of cats and dogs will deal with common and chronic health conditions connected to oxidative stress and inflammation. This estimate rises to 90% of senior dogs and cats.(14)
A fresher diet has been shown to help support a balanced immune system crucial for overall health. A fresher diet was found to offer immunomodulatory effects, meaning the researchers propose it may help to stimulate a pet’s immune system – potentially enhancing immune defense or suppressing/moderating it – and possibly helping reduce inflammation or overreaction. (15)
“The current science is showing that when you combine fresher food - less processed, gently cooked or raw nutrition with premium natural high quality kibbles, you can protect your pet’s healthspan and help them enjoy a higher quality of life for longer. This is the blueprint to Real Pet Food’s manufacturing and the reason it is #1.”
Ms Germaine Chua
Chair Fresh(labs). Group CEO, RPF.
References
(1) DogRisk Study. Early life programming by diet can play a role in risk reduction of otitis in dogs. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1186131/full
(2) www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/importance-dental-health/
(3) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04885-8. One study of 4,771 dogs found that when dogs were fed fresher food in the early stages of life, it was shown to help significantly lower the risk of developing dental calculus later in life.
(4) https://pfiaa.com.au/incidence-risk-factors-and-managing-obesity-in-dogs-and-cats/. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.70060
(5) https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/96/9/3670/5035020
(6) https://vetskinandear.com.au/atopic-dermatits-in-dogs/. Feline Atopic Syndrome: Epidemiology and Clinical Presentation. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-29836-4_21
(7) Fresh Food Consumption Increases Microbiome Diversity and Promotes Changes in Bacteria Composition on the Skin of Pet Dogs Compared to Dry Foods. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/15/1881
(8) Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and Veterinary radiographic surveys and feline orthopaedic studies
(9) Influence of nutrition at young age on canine hip dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs.DogRisk.
(10) Cats. https://academy.royalcanin.com/en/veterinary/prevalence-of-chronic-gastrointestinal-signs-in-cats. Cross-sectional survey of 43,517 dogs in the Dog Aging Project identifies owner-reported lifetime prevalence and characteristics of gastrointestinal disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12093938/
(11) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1328513/full. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195561621000127#:~:text=also%20in%20dogs.-,3,%2C%209%2C%2010%20and%20indoles.
(12) https://www.hillspet.co.uk/pet-care/nutrition-feeding/antioxidants
(13) Dehydrated natural feed for dogs: influence on digestibility, immunity, and antioxidant response. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00580-025-03639-0. Serum Metabolomics of Senior Dogs Fed a Fresh, Human-Grade Food or an Extruded Kibble Diet, https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15100676
(14) Oxidative Stress in Canine Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/11/1396 Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11188961/#:~:text=Age%2Dassociated%20conditions%20in%20cats,one%20day%20clarify%20these%20mechanisms.
(15) Effects of a whole food diet on immune function and inflammatory phenotype in healthy dogs: A randomized, open-labelled, cross-over clinical trial. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.898056/full#T1
* Many of the above statements come from studies that have been published in academic peer reviewed papers, books or research by other organisations. Each study has its limitations. The maintenance and improvement of a pet’s health is said to depend on many factors. The current evidence suggests that fresher nutrition has a positive and protective role in a pet’s health. It’s important to remember that science continues to evolve and readers should always do their own research and talk to their vets about the health of their pets.
How can RPF Fresh(labs) improve
a pet's quality of life?
RPF is the #1 independent branded manufacturer of fresh pet food in Asia-Pacific.
Fresh nutrition is in our DNA. It is our passion.
And we know it matters. The science is showing that adding gently cooked, minimally processed and raw diets to your pet's bowl, like the ones we make, improves pet healthspans.
What is driving demand for fresher nutrition?
Pet nutrition has evolved. Today the fastest growing segment and highest in-demand products are what RPF calls fresher nutrition. Underpinning this growth in demand are the trends of health-conscious pet parents, humanisation, changes in demography, lifestyle and location, and a shift in species to cats and smaller dogs.
Sources: Baird report Nov 2018 ‘Consumer Products: Food Fight! Pet Food's Disruptive "4th Category“ - Advantage Fresh”; Mintel 2022 global Pet owner study: Kate Vlietstra, global food and drink analyst at Mintel (2022). Global Fresh Pet Food Market Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2033. Asia Pacific Fresh Pet Food Market Value, in USD Mn, 2018-2033.
Who is on the Fresh(labs) board?
"The Fresh(labs) mission is critical to pets everywhere.
RPF has been an innovator in fresh nutrition being the first to create the category with the chilled dog roll, and now with this Fresh(labs) investment and independent board, we can drive meaningful improvements to pet's quality of life"
Dr Anna Hielm-Björkman
Founder of DogRisk and CatRisk at the University of Helsinki
Dr Anna Hielm-Björkman
Scientist + Researcher
DVM, PhD, docent, CVA (IVAS)
Anna is the leader of the DogRisk research group. She works as a senior researcher, Pl and teacher at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Helsinki. DogRisk is the only independent and university-based research group in the world, analysing the connections between diets, environmental factors and chronic diseases that affect dogs.
Dr Nicole Rous
Integrative Vet Nutritionist
BVSc (Hons)
Nicole is Australia’s leading integrative vet, the owner and director of Mont Albert Vet in Melbourne and founder of natural pet health and lifestyle brand, Shy Tiger. Her passion is championing fresh nutrition for the improvement of pets' lives.
Dr David Thomas
Feline expert + Nutritional Scientist
Associate Professor, Massey University, BSc, PhD
David has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of animal nutrition and has a passion for Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Pet Foods, Health and Well-being, Future Food Systems and has pioneered research into cats and nutritional health.
Dr Emma Bermingham
Small Animal Nutritional Scientist
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, Animal Science.
Emma has straddled commercial and academic worlds, as a Chief R&D Officer for Kowbucha Ltd. She was ilume’s chief scientist for AI canine health and has been a leading academic in animal health & nutrition through functional ingredients.
Dr Angus Hayes
Veterinarian Scientist
BVSc MVS
Angus has been working as a vet for 15 years and is a second-generation vet, following in the footsteps of his father in caring for animals. He completed his Masters of Veterinary Studies concentrating on Small Animal Internal Medicine and Emergency/Critical Care. He has completed further studies in airway surgery (BOAS) and acupuncture and reptile medicine.
Mr Andrew Simpson
Human Centred Industrial Design
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University NSW.
Andrew is the founder and director of industrial design house Vert. His work has been exhibited in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. He mentors emerging designers and lecturers and teaches, as well judging of national and international design awards and board advisory. He is also the 2018 Churchill Fellow, an Australian Design Honouree Board Member.
Ms Germaine Chua
Fresh(labs) Chair and
Chief Executive Officer RPF.
Germaine is the Group CEO of RPF and has diverse and deep experience across the CPG sector with over 20 years' working for multinationals like Nestle Purina and Dairy Farmers / National Foods. Germaine joined RPF in 2015 and over this period, has held roles as Chief Growth Officer and CCO. She also spent time in Singapore and has a deep understanding of the Asian market. She is fluent in multiple languages.
Mr Joseph Dalo
Food Scientist and
Chief Operating Officer of RPF.
Joseph began his career as a food scientist and is today the COO of RPF. He is seasoned in FMCG with broad experience across all aspects and with deep knowledge of manufacturing technologies. Joseph has a keen interest in innovation which spans research and development, through to packaging and information technology.
Mr Ben Lyttle
Innovation and Strategy leader
Growth Office. RPF.
Ben brings over 30 years' strategy and innovation experience having worked with multinational companies in all parts of the world. He has 20 years' experience in the pet food category during which he has advised and run corporate strategy, brand, marketing and innovation. He has won multiple awards in innovation, branding, insights and communications.
What drives RPF Fresh(labs)?
Fresh First
We believe nature has given us all we need to keep our loved companions healthy for longer. So we only use natural, whole and unprocessed ingredients. We never use artificial preservatives, fillers, colours, or flavours. And we always provide complete and balanced nutrition that meets the biological needs of pets.
Safety/Quality Always
Safety and quality are non-negotiable. Our nutrition is rigorously tested to ensure it is free from harmful contaminants and exceeds regulatory and industry guidelines for pet food safety.
Minimal Processing
Our nutrition is gently cooked and minimally processed to retain the essential nutrients and flavours of our ingredients. We use today’s technologies in freezing, gentle cooking and pressurised processing and continue to explore the emerging technologies to create even greater variety and health.
Accessible to All
We work to remove all barriers to consumer adoption of fresh nutrition by making advances in health, taste, ease, access and affordability. Our fresh nutrition offers a range of solutions to meet the needs and budgets of every pet owner, professional and veterinarian.
Education + Advocacy
We work to educate consumers, professionals and vets on the benefits of fresh nutrition, empowering them with evidence based knowledge through experts, research, free resources and communications to help them make informed decisions about their pet’s nutrition and overall health.
Continuous Innovation
We are driven to find new, better and more efficient ways of making fresh nutrition and educating people about it. We work with veterinarians, animal nutritionists, and scientists to stay at the forefront of pet health and adapt the new findings in pet nutrition science.
What are RPF Fresh(labs) pillars of responsibility
Our first commitment is to the health and wellbeing of our companions.
Today, dog's and cat’s lifespans are increasing, yet their quality of life is not.
They deserve to live better for longer.
We are dedicated to helping every pet parent understand the need for fresh nutrition in their companions’ diets.
The science shows this will maintain, optimise and, if needed, help restore their health systems.
We are devoted to our employees who work with great passion to make the best nutrition possible, so our pets live their best lives.
Our job is to help inspire them to feel proud of their impact, to educate and arm them with the knowledge that fresh nutrition is best.
We are responsible to society to help improve the health of our companions.
The evidence is abundantly clear, the healthier our pets, the happier and the more productive our homes, communities and workplaces.
Finally, we are accountable to our shareholders who rightfully expect a return on our efforts and investments.
While we are purposeful, we must also be profitable in that endeavor. And we know profits will follow from fulfilling our purpose.
Latest media and papers
Exciting times ahead — you're part of this new era of fresher nutrition!
Have an idea or thought?
Do you want to learn more about our work at Fresh(labs)?
Maybe you have a new idea you’d like us to look at or work on?
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