As the $158 billion pet care industry shifts toward preventative health, functional biotics, and active longevity, the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards honored two groundbreaking ingredients setting a new clinical standard in canine health.
Food ingredient titan Kerry and nutrition pioneer ADM earned top category accolades for their biotics platforms: BioBac 40™ (Dog Gut Health Product of the Year) and PRIOME® Metabolic Health (Dog Preventative Product of the Year).
Summary Comparison: 2026 Award-Winning Canine Biotics
Feature / Metric |
Kerry BioBac 40™ |
ADM PRIOME® Metabolic Health |
Award Category |
Dog Gut Health Product of the Year |
Dog Preventative Product of the Year |
Biotic Type |
Spore-Forming Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) |
Heat-Treated Postbiotic (B. animalis subsp. lactis) |
Primary Health Target |
Microbiome balance & gastrointestinal stability |
Postprandial blood glucose & glycemic control |
Secondary Benefit |
Oral health & reduction of dental odor / bad breath |
Liver stress reduction (GGT) & metabolic vitality |
Manufacturing Stability |
Spore survives processing without refrigeration |
Heat-stable inanimate postbiotic |
Delivery Formats |
Dry kibble, wet food, treats, chews, supplements |
Soft chews, dry kibble, wet food, baked treats, powders |
1. Kerry BioBac 40™: Dual-Action Gut & Oral Health Protection
Kerry’s BioBac 40™ addresses two of the most frequent concerns among pet owners—digestive irregularity and halitosis—in a single, stable ingredient.
The Microbiome Science
Powered by a resilient strain of Bacillus subtilis (ATCC PTA-122264), BioBac 40™ exists in a protective spore state until reaching the canine gastrointestinal tract. Unlike fragile vegetative probiotics that degrade during high-heat extrusion or shelf storage, BioBac 40™ remains viable without refrigeration.
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Digestive Regulation: Peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that daily supplementation safely reduces levels of harmful gut pathogens while stabilizing beneficial intestinal microflora.
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Oral Hygiene: The strain inhibits bacteria associated with periodontal disease and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), combating bad breath at its origin.
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AAFCO-Approved: Fully compliant with AAFCO standards across dry food, soft chews, and supplement powders.
“BioBac 40™ meets pet parent demand by addressing two major health concerns in one product—saving cost, time, and complexity while delivering science-backed daily wellness,” stated Travis Grant, Managing Director at Independent Innovation Awards.
2. ADM PRIOME® Metabolic Health: Postbiotic Breakthrough for Aging Dogs
With canine obesity rates rising globally, traditional weight management strategies focused solely on calorie restriction often miss underlying physiological strain. ADM’s PRIOME® Metabolic Health (MH) targets root-cause metabolic dysfunction through postbiotic signaling.
Clinical Mechanisms & Glycemic Control
Formulated from a heat-treated postbiotic strain of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (CECT 8145), PRIOME® MH delivers functional cellular structures that remain active across high-heat manufacturing environments.
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Blood Sugar Regulation: Clinical trials in dogs subject to metabolic stress showed a significant reduction in postprandial blood glucose spikes compared to control groups.
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Hepatoprotection: Decreased levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a primary biomarker for canine hepatic stress and liver strain.
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Appetite & Metabolic Satiety: Positively modulates gut hormones governing insulin sensitivity, energy balance, and appetite control in senior and overweight dogs.
3. Key Takeaways for Pet Food & Supplement Manufacturers
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The Biotics Shift: Formulators are moving away from live probiotic cultures that require cold-chain storage toward spore-formers (BioBac 40™) and postbiotics (PRIOME® MH) that withstand extrusion and baking.
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Multifunctional Claims Drive Sales: Products that deliver dual outcomes (e.g., gut + oral health or metabolic + liver support) offer higher consumer value and better compliance.
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Prevention & Longevity Focus: Modern pet owners treat their pets as family members, shifting market spend toward proactive, healthy-aging formulations over reactive veterinary treatment.
