A demonstration of the company’s firm commitment to best-in-class food safety and quality, WellPet’s Mishawaka, Indiana manufacturing facility has earned the distinguished “AA” grade certification from the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety. This rigorous, internationally recognized accreditation reflects WellPet’s ongoing investments in food safety systems, strong leadership from its food safety and quality teams, and steadfast adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
WellPet, LLC is the largest North America–based independent branded premium pet food company and the home of Wellness®, WHIMZEES®, Old Mother Hubbard®, Holistic Select®, Eagle Pack®, and Sojos®. In addition to the Mishawaka site, WellPet’s Farm Fresh Kitchens facility in Minnesota and the WHIMZEES® manufacturing site in the Netherlands have also achieved high ratings in prior BRC audits, underscoring a companywide dedication to product quality and safety.
Achieving the BRC “AA” grade is an endorsement that products manufactured at Mishawaka meet rigorous standards for safety, legality, and quality. The accreditation reflects effective quality management systems, comprehensive hazard analysis and critical control points, and strong operational practices across every stage of production. For pet parents and retail partners, the AA grade provides an extra measure of confidence that WellPet’s foods and treats are produced under tightly controlled and well-documented conditions.
WellPet emphasizes full control of its manufacturing process from raw material acceptance through finished product shipment. That integrated approach includes thorough supplier evaluation, routine quality checks on incoming ingredients, in-process monitoring, sanitation protocols, and final product verification prior to distribution. This end-to-end oversight helps maintain consistency, supports compliance with regulatory requirements, and promotes a culture of accountability among a longstanding, experienced workforce who take pride in producing products that help pets live healthy, happy lives.
Our Mishawaka, Indiana manufacturing facility is core to our business and providing pet parents with the food they trust to fulfill a shared life of wellbeing together, so the achievement of such high marks from the BRC is a true honor. We’re incredibly proud of the entire Mishawaka team for their contributions,” said Tricia DiPersio, Vice President of Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs at WellPet. “At WellPet, we’ve built an exceptional food safety culture, and this accreditation shows our unwavering commitment to food safety and quality assurance.
Receiving the AA grade supports the trust customers and retail partners place in WellPet’s brands. It also signals that the company’s investments in facilities, people, and systems deliver measurable outcomes that align with global best practices for pet food manufacturing.
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety evaluates a wide range of program elements that contribute to safe, high-quality production. Key focus areas include:
- Senior management commitment and the development of a culture centered on product safety and continual improvement
- Comprehensive evaluation of food safety risks for products and processes, including documented HACCP-based food safety plans
- Robust quality management systems to document organizational policies, procedures, and accountability
- Environmental and operational controls necessary for the safe production of food
- Prevention systems to protect the site, manage supplier approvals, and ensure only approved ingredients are used
- Product security and food defense measures to reduce vulnerability and protect the supply chain
- Specific requirements for high-care production zones where higher levels of control are required
To learn more about the WellPet team and the Mishawaka facility, visit www.wellpet.com.
About WellPet, LLC:
WellPet is the largest North America–based independent branded premium pet food company, home to the Wellness®, WHIMZEES®, Old Mother Hubbard®, Holistic Select®, Eagle Pack®, and Sojos® brands. For more than 100 years, WellPet has focused on making nutritious, premium products for the pets that depend on them. Backed by teams of animal lovers, nutritionists, and veterinarians, WellPet continues to invest in innovation, nutritional excellence, and rigorous product quality. The company’s long-term commitment to pet health is reflected in continuous improvements to manufacturing practices, ingredient sourcing, and quality assurance programs designed to keep pet wellbeing central to every product they make. For more information, visit www.wellpet.com.