Protocol Raw — Supplier Specification Pack¶

Document ID: SPEC-SUPPLY-v1.1
Last Updated: February 2026
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Purpose¶

This document provides specifications for COA-controlled ingredients. These specifications must be met for ingredients to be approved for use in Protocol Raw Complete production.

This pack also covers the whole-food fibre ingredients used in the Functional Pack preblend (psyllium + fibre base) due to their scale impact on process consistency and customer GI tolerance.

1. Bone-in Chicken Mince¶

1.1 Product Description¶

Pre-ground chicken including meat and finely milled bone, suitable for raw pet food manufacturing.

1.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Particle Size	3-5mm	Visual / sieve
Bone Content	8-12%	Calculation from ash
Ash	6-10%	Proximate analysis
Calcium	1.5-2.5%	ICP-OES or equivalent
Phosphorus	0.8-1.5%	ICP-OES or equivalent
Ca:P Ratio	1.2-2.0:1	Calculated
Fat	15-25%	Proximate analysis
Protein	≥12%	Proximate analysis

1.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Source	UK poultry, human chain or Category 3
Format	Frozen blocks, ≤-18°C
Shelf Life	≥6 months from production
Packaging	Clean poly bags, sealed, labelled with lot
Foreign Bodies	Metal detection required at source

1.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Ash %
Calcium % (or mg/100g)
Phosphorus % (or mg/100g)
Fat %
Protein %
Salmonella (Not Detected in 25g)

1.5 Rejection Criteria¶

Bone content >15% (excessive Ca, grinding issues)
Bone content <6% (insufficient Ca:P contribution)
Off-odour or discolouration
Temperature abuse (evidence of thaw/refreeze)
Missing or incomplete COA

2. Assayed Cod Liver Oil (CLO)¶

2.1 Product Description¶

Refined cod liver oil with declared vitamin D and vitamin A potency, suitable for animal feed/pet food use.

2.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Vitamin D	≥150 IU/g (minimum)	HPLC or equivalent
Vitamin A	Report value (no max, but monitor)	HPLC or equivalent
A:D Ratio	≤10:1 preferred	Calculated
Peroxide Value	≤5 mEq/kg	Titration
Anisidine Value	≤20	Spectrophotometric
TOTOX	≤26	Calculated (2×PV + AV)
EPA + DHA	Report value	GC-FID

2.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Grade	Feed grade or food grade
Format	Bulk liquid, nitrogen-flushed containers
Storage	Cool, dark, <15°C; refrigerate after opening
Shelf Life	≥12 months unopened
Certifications	IFFO RS or equivalent sustainability preferred

2.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Vitamin D (IU/g) — CRITICAL
Vitamin A (IU/g) — CRITICAL
Peroxide value
Anisidine value (or TOTOX)
EPA % and DHA %
Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) — annually or per lot

2.5 Rejection Criteria¶

Vitamin D <150 IU/g
TOTOX >26 (oxidised oil)
Rancid odour
Cloudy or precipitated appearance
Missing vitamin assay on COA

2.6 Dosing Note¶

Inclusion rates are controlled via the Functional Pack formulation and may be adjusted lot-by-lot based on COA potency to meet nutritional targets. Do not assume a fixed inclusion rate from this supplier specification alone; refer to the current Production Master Specification and the approved adjustment protocol.

3. Oyster Powder¶

3.1 Product Description¶

Dried, milled oyster meat powder suitable for animal feed/pet food use, providing bioavailable zinc.

3.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Zinc	≥500 mg/100g (≥5000 mg/kg)	ICP-OES
Cadmium	<1.0 mg/kg	ICP-MS
Lead	<1.0 mg/kg	ICP-MS
Arsenic	<2.0 mg/kg	ICP-MS
Moisture	<10%	Oven drying
Particle Size	≤500 µm (fine powder)	Sieve

3.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Source	Food-grade oyster, traceable origin
Format	Sealed bags or drums, nitrogen-flushed if possible
Storage	Cool, dry, <25°C
Shelf Life	≥18 months
Allergen	Contains molluscs — segregated storage required

3.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Zinc (mg/100g or mg/kg) — CRITICAL
Cadmium (mg/kg) — CRITICAL
Lead (mg/kg)
Moisture %
Microbiological: TVC, Salmonella (Not Detected)

3.5 Rejection Criteria¶

Zinc <500 mg/100g (insufficient anchoring)
Cadmium >1.0 mg/kg (heavy metal risk)
Visible contamination or off-odour
Clumped or caked powder
Missing zinc or cadmium on COA

3.6 Dosing Note¶

Inclusion rates are controlled via the Functional Pack formulation and may be adjusted lot-by-lot based on COA potency to meet nutritional targets. Do not assume a fixed inclusion rate from this supplier specification alone; refer to the current Production Master Specification and the approved adjustment protocol.

4. Mussel Powder¶

4.1 Product Description¶

Dried, milled blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) or green-lipped mussel powder, providing bioavailable manganese.

4.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Manganese	≥10 mg/100g (≥100 mg/kg)	ICP-OES
Moisture	<10%	Oven drying
Particle Size	≤500 µm (fine powder)	Sieve
Heavy Metals	Cd <1.0 mg/kg, Pb <1.0 mg/kg	ICP-MS

4.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Source	Food-grade mussel, UK/EU/NZ origin preferred
Format	Sealed bags or drums
Storage	Cool, dry, <25°C
Shelf Life	≥18 months
Allergen	Contains molluscs — segregated storage required

4.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Manganese (mg/100g or mg/kg) — CRITICAL
Moisture %
Heavy metals (Cd, Pb)
Microbiological: TVC, Salmonella (Not Detected)

4.5 Rejection Criteria¶

Manganese <10 mg/100g
Heavy metals exceed limits
Clumped or discoloured powder
Missing manganese assay on COA

4.6 Dosing Note¶

Inclusion rates are controlled via the Functional Pack formulation and may be adjusted lot-by-lot based on COA potency to meet nutritional targets. Do not assume a fixed inclusion rate from this supplier specification alone; refer to the current Production Master Specification and the approved adjustment protocol.

5. Kelp Meal¶

5.1 Product Description¶

Dried, milled seaweed (typically Ascophyllum nodosum or Laminaria spp.) providing natural iodine.

5.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Iodine	800–1,200 mg/kg	ICP-MS or equivalent
Arsenic (Inorganic)	<2.0 mg/kg	Speciated As analysis
Moisture	<15%	Oven drying
Particle Size	≤1mm	Sieve

5.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Source	Harvested seaweed, traceable origin
Format	Sealed bags
Storage	Cool, dry, protected from light
Shelf Life	≥24 months
Certifications	Organic preferred but not required

5.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Harvest date or production date
Iodine (mg/kg) — CRITICAL
Arsenic (total and/or inorganic)
Moisture %

5.5 Rejection Criteria¶

Iodine <800 mg/kg or >1,500 mg/kg
Arsenic (inorganic) >2.0 mg/kg
Visible foreign matter
Missing iodine assay on COA

5.6 Dosing Note¶

Inclusion rates are controlled via the Functional Pack formulation and may be adjusted lot-by-lot based on COA potency to meet nutritional targets. Do not assume a fixed inclusion rate from this supplier specification alone; refer to the current Production Master Specification and the approved adjustment protocol.

6. Fish Oil (Salmon/Sardine)¶

6.1 Product Description¶

Refined fish body oil (not liver oil) providing EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

6.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
EPA + DHA	≥25% combined	GC-FID
Peroxide Value	≤5 mEq/kg	Titration
TOTOX	≤26	Calculated
Heavy Metals	Pb <0.1 mg/kg, Hg <0.1 mg/kg	ICP-MS

6.3 Quality Requirements¶

Parameter	Requirement
Grade	Feed grade or food grade
Format	Bulk liquid, nitrogen-flushed
Storage	Cool, dark, refrigerate after opening
Shelf Life	≥12 months unopened
Certifications	IFFO RS or MSC preferred

6.4 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
EPA % and DHA %
Peroxide value
TOTOX or anisidine value
Heavy metals (annually minimum)

6.5 Rejection Criteria¶

EPA + DHA <25%
Oxidised (TOTOX >26 or rancid odour)
Missing fatty acid profile on COA

7. Psyllium Husk¶

7.1 Product Description¶

Milled psyllium husk (Plantago ovata), used as a whole-food, gel-forming soluble fibre for stool consistency.

7.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Ingredient	100% psyllium husk (no additives, no sweeteners, no flavours)	Supplier statement / spec sheet
Moisture	Report value (target low; avoid caking)	Oven drying
Micro (feed hygiene)	Must meet applicable feed hygiene requirements	COA micro panel
Salmonella	Not Detected (25g) preferred	ISO method or equivalent
Foreign body control	Sieve/magnet/metal detection statement required	Supplier statement
Flowability	Report value if available (handling at scale)	Supplier method

7.3 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Moisture %
Micro results (at minimum Salmonella; ideally TVC + Enterobacteriaceae)
Supplier declaration: "100% psyllium husk, no additives"

7.4 Rejection Criteria¶

Evidence of adulteration/additives
Significant caking/clumping on receipt
Salmonella positive or missing micro documentation
Missing lot traceability

8. Fibre Base (Pumpkin Powder OR Carrot Fibre)¶

8.1 Product Description¶

Dried vegetable fibre ingredient used as the base fibre in the Functional Pack preblend to support GI tolerance and process consistency.

8.2 Specifications¶

Parameter	Requirement	Test Method
Type	Pumpkin powder OR carrot fibre (to be confirmed for commercial lock)	Supplier spec
Additives	No additives, no preservatives, no anti-caking agents	Supplier declaration
Moisture	Report value (target low)	Oven drying
Micro (feed hygiene)	Must meet applicable feed hygiene requirements	COA micro panel
Salmonella	Not Detected (25g) preferred	ISO method or equivalent
Foreign body control	Sieve/magnet/metal detection statement required	Supplier statement

8.3 COA Fields Required (Per Lot)¶

Lot/Batch number
Production date
Moisture %
Micro results (at minimum Salmonella; ideally TVC + Enterobacteriaceae)
Supplier declaration: no additives

8.4 Rejection Criteria¶

Visible foreign material or strong off-odour
Significant caking/clumping
Salmonella positive or missing micro documentation
Missing lot traceability

Supplier Qualification Process¶

Initial Qualification¶

Request sample + COA
Verify COA meets all critical specifications
Conduct sensory evaluation (visual, odour)
If pilot testing, submit for independent verification
Approve supplier and add to Approved Supplier List

Ongoing Monitoring¶

Review COA for every lot received
Track any out-of-spec trends
Re-qualify annually or after any quality issue
Maintain at least two approved suppliers for critical anchors
Include psyllium and fibre base COAs in the per-lot review process due to their impact on process consistency and GI tolerance

Document Control¶

Field	Value
Document Owner	Anton (Founder)
Version	1.1
Effective Date	February 2026
Classification	CONFIDENTIAL

Revision History¶

Version	Date	Changes
1.0	Jan 2026	Initial release covering bone-in chicken mince, CLO, oyster, mussel, kelp, fish oil
1.1	Feb 2026	Expanded scope to cover Functional Pack fibre ingredients. Added Section 7 (Psyllium Husk) and Section 8 (Fibre Base — Pumpkin Powder / Carrot Fibre). Standardised all dosing notes to reference Production Master Spec rather than hardcoded inclusion rates. Tightened kelp iodine range from 500–1,500 mg/kg to 800–1,200 mg/kg. Updated rejection criteria for kelp to match tightened range. Added psyllium + fibre base to Supplier Qualification ongoing monitoring. Purpose section updated to clarify fibre ingredient coverage.