Free of cross-contamination, well-thought-out, and scalable

The future is plant-based

Brandenburch specialises in the development and production of plant-based food concepts. Not as a trend, but as a well-considered and future-proof choice.

As a private label manufacturer, we collaborate with brands, retailers, and concept developers who want to build a new food landscape. Drawing on our own knowledge, expertise, and (more than 40 years of) experience—and in collaboration with independent specialists—we develop products that are nutritionally sound, industrially scalable, and aligned with what the market demands today. And expects tomorrow.

With a fully plant-based production chain, free from animal proteins, we offer a pure foundation for brands that take transparency, sustainability, and quality seriously.

What we develop is never an end in itself. It is an accelerator for our partners’ market ambitions.

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Speaking to our nutritionist specialising in dog food, who is also an independent veterinarian and FEDIAF-certified

“Nutritionally, it has to be right, and Brandenburch understands that and does it.”

In developing our plant-based dog food, we work closely with a true expert in the field: a nutritionist. This is not a marketing role, but a substantive one. Her role is clear: to provide expertise based on science and practical experience, free from commercial considerations. “My role is to ensure that it’s nutritionally sound,” she explains. “Not to sell a product, but to verify that what’s being developed is actually good for the dog.”

That approach forms the basis of the collaboration.

She developed complete recipes for plant-based dog food on the basis of an extensive analysis of raw materials and their nutritional values, with one guiding principle: a complete and balanced nutritional profile.
According to her, that is also the crux of the discussion. “People often look at ingredients, but ultimately it’s about nutrients. If you balance those properly, you can also create a complete diet using plant-based sources. Just as we’ve done now with and at Brandenburch.” By cleverly combining different plant-based protein sources, a complete amino acid profile is created without any animal components. An approach she believes is essential, because many existing plant-based foods fall short precisely on this point.

“The market is still young, and you see that products are sometimes developed too quickly. This can lead to shortages or imbalances. You want to avoid that, especially when it comes to animal health.”

That care translates into two distinct product lines

A premium variant with additional health claims and a more accessible basic product. Both developed based on the same nutritional principles, but tailored to different market needs. A conscious choice was also made for nuance in positioning. “But if you do it right, it is without a doubt a fully-fledged alternative.”
It is precisely in that combination of knowledge, realism, and care that Brandenburch sees the future. Not as a trend, but as a substantively grounded step forward, built on expertise.

More about our production process

Tested where it counts, at home with the dog and owner

Positively rated by Pet Panel participants

We could say a lot about how we develop and produce our plant-based dog food. But ultimately, it all comes down to one thing: how it performs in real life. The most important question to answer is therefore: is it eaten, tolerated, and appreciated by both the dog and the owner?

That’s why we had our products independently tested by Pet Panel. They conduct in-home testing. In the dog’s own environment and under realistic conditions. This provides a more honest and relevant picture than testing in a controlled setting. Pet Panel’s approach is also based on research from Wageningen University & Research, with a focus on reliable and animal-friendly testing methods.

What was tested?
The products were blind-tested on a diverse group of dogs. Factors such as smell, taste, shape, acceptance, and digestibility were evaluated, from both the dog’s and the owner’s perspectives.

The results, plain and simple
The results show that our products are widely accepted and well tolerated. All variants scored positive to very positive on the various components. A number of products were even rated above average. And across the board, the scores are at or above the level of common benchmarks.

More importantly, the tests did not reveal any structural areas for improvement. This confirms that the foundation is sound, from formulation to final product.

Why this is important for our partners
As a manufacturer, we don’t develop for ourselves but together with and for our partners. Independent validation like this helps substantiate decisions and reduce risks during product launch. It builds confidence in the market and provides a solid foundation for continuing to build a successful consumer product together.

More about Pet Panel

Interview with veterinarian Joyce Hofman, owner and namesake of Joyce Hofman Veterinary Clinics

“It’s not about where it’s from, but what’s in it.”

Plant-based diets for dogs still raise questions. Is it nutritionally complete? Is it healthy? And does it align with the animal’s natural diet? In conversation with veterinarian Joyce Hofman, a nuanced, yet above all practical and convincing picture emerges.

About Allergies and Daily Practice

Many people still believe that meat is essential for dogs. As a veterinarian, what is your perspective on this?
“What I see in my practice is that the problem often lies precisely with animal proteins. That’s why 90% of dogs with food allergies benefit from a plant-based diet. This means plant-based food is no longer just an alternative, but a very logical first step. In fact, about 80% of pet owners now choose a plant-based diet right away when their dog has symptoms. Simply because it works, and because it’s practical.”

On effectiveness and adherence

What makes plant-based dog food so successful in practice?
“The success lies not only in the composition but also in how it’s used. Many traditional dietary foods, such as hydrolysed proteins, are expensive and often less palatable. That makes it harder for owners to stick with them. Plant-based food is generally more palatable and affordable. As a result, people adhere to the diet better. And that is ultimately decisive for the outcome. About 90% of dogs respond positively to it.”

About complete and balanced nutrition

There is still a lot of debate about nutritional deficiencies. Is plant-based food truly complete?
“I understand that concern, but in many cases it’s outdated. It’s not about ingredients, but about nutrients. If all essential nutrients are present in the right proportions, a dog can function perfectly well on that diet.”
So the challenge isn’t whether or not to use animal ingredients, but in carefully formulating a complete diet. And that is absolutely possible today.”

On market acceptance

Why does resistance persist, especially among professionals?
“The veterinary world is naturally conservative, and that’s a good thing in itself. After all, it’s about animal health. But that caution also means that new developments are accepted slowly. What helps is having a strong scientific foundation. That builds trust. Especially when you’re working with specialists who are fully dedicated to nutritional balance and safety.”

On sustainability and motivation

Does sustainability also play a role in your advice?
“For me personally, yes. Less reliance on animal proteins means a lower environmental impact. But in my work as a veterinarian, the animal’s health always comes first. The great thing is that these two aspects come together when choosing plant-based options. You can feed a dog a healthy diet and make a more sustainable choice at the same time.”

On practical experience and the future

How do you see the future of plant-based dog food?
“I think it’s becoming more and more normal. Not as a niche or a ‘vegan choice,’ but simply as a fully-fledged option within the overall range. What helps with that is that the products are getting better. More variety, better acceptance, and a composition that makes sense. Then the debate will naturally fade into the background.”

Developed in-house, validated by experts

Every product we develop starts with a fundamental question: How should it perform? What problem does it need to solve? From there, we develop formulations tailored to factors such as protein quality, amino acid profile, digestibility, and palatability. We do this in-house, in close collaboration with external nutritionists and specialists.

The result: two product lines that not only look good on paper, but also deliver in practice.