At APC, we believe that the best treats come from the simplest, cleanest ingredients, prepared with care and precision. Our jerky treats are no exception — made with quality, wholesome meats and a process designed to preserve natural flavors and nutrients. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we create the delicious jerky your pets love.
Starting with the Best Ingredients
We begin by selecting only the freshest, clean cuts of meat. For our chicken jerky, we use whole muscle chicken breast, and for our pork jerky, we use lean pork loin. We choose these cuts because they are the most lean meat cuts available, ensuring a healthier, low-fat treat for your pet. It’s also because less fat means better storage, helping the treats stay fresh longer. Both are free from any additives, preservatives, or fillers, providing pure, high-protein nutrition.
Preparation
Once the meat arrives, our expert team carefully removes all visible fat. This step is crucial because fat can shorten the shelf life of jerky and cause spoilage. Fat contains unsaturated fatty acids that oxidize and go rancid when exposed to air, heat, or light, creating off-flavors and potentially harmful compounds.
Next, the meat is sliced into strips or pieces about 5-15mm thick, depending on your pet’s size and bite strength. For cats and smaller pets, thinner slices are preferable, while larger dogs can handle thicker cuts. This thickness directly impacts drying temperature and time — thinner slices dry faster and at lower temperatures, while thicker strips require longer drying.
The Art of Drying
Because the meat is not cooked beforehand, it is essential to dry the strips at a temperature and duration that ensure safety. We gently pat the strips dry to remove excess moisture, then place them in dehydration units set between 50°C and 60°C, depending on thickness. Although temperatures are generally kept below 60°C to help preserve the meat’s nutritional value while ensuring safety.
Drying takes at least 24 hours, ensuring the jerky reaches a moisture level low enough to inhibit bacterial growth and comply with USDA safety guidelines for raw meat products. Note that the lower the temperature, the longer the drying time required (LTLT—Low Temperature, Long Time). We do not recommend drying below 48°C, as studies show microbial reduction becomes less reliable.
It’s important to understand that drying at these temperatures (50–60°C) does not fully cook the meat by USDA standards, which require an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) for poultry to be considered fully cooked. Instead, our jerky is considered dehydrated raw or low-temp pasteurized. While this drying method significantly reduces pathogens through heat and moisture removal, the meat does not reach “fully cooked” status. This distinction affects labeling and regulatory requirements but ensures your pet receives a nutritious, safe treat when properly dried and stored.
Quality and Safety First
Throughout the drying process, we monitor every batch carefully to maintain consistent quality, texture, and safety. Our approach ensures each piece is perfectly dried — chewy yet tender, and naturally flavorful without any artificial enhancers.
Why Removing Fat Matters
Fat in jerky products is a major contributor to spoilage. When fat oxidizes — a chemical process accelerated by exposure to oxygen, light, and heat — it produces rancid odors and flavors, decreasing the treat’s quality and safety. Removing fat minimizes this risk, helping jerky stay fresh longer and safer for your pet.
Storage Tips for Maximum Freshness
To keep your jerky treats tasting their best:
- Store in a cool, dry, and shaded place to slow down oxidation and moisture buildup.
- For longer storage, keep the jerky in the fridge, which further slows microbial growth and oxidation.
- If available, use an oxygen absorber patch inside the packaging. This absorbs excess oxygen, extending shelf life and preserving flavor.
Why APC Jerky Treats?
- 100% natural, lean cuts — no fillers or preservatives
- Breast and loin chosen for being the leanest meat cuts
- Fat carefully removed to extend shelf life
- Slow dehydration at controlled temperature for superior quality and safety
- Rich in protein, perfect for training or rewarding
And that’s how APC jerky treats are made — just that simple.
At APC, we’re proud to craft treats that you can trust to be safe, wholesome, and delicious. Because your pet deserves nothing less.
Reference
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). “Shelf Stable Food Safety.” Available at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/shelf-stable-food
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