Bio pet food startup Limpid, helmed by CEO Kim Hee Soo, is set to make waves in the U.S. market with the official launch of its brand this month, following meticulous preparations.
Limpid announced on Wednesday that it had successfully completed the Food Facility Registration (FFR) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its freeze-drying manufacturing facility in November last year. This milestone grants Rimpid the green light to export its freeze-dried pet food directly from South Korea to the United States.
The FDA’s Food Facility Registration is a crucial step for any foreign manufacturer looking to export food products to the U.S. The pet food industry, in particular, faces rigorous safety standards that require manufacturing facilities to meet strict FDA guidelines for hygiene management and quality control. Limpid’s successful FFR acquisition is a testament to its production processes and quality control systems, which meet global benchmarks.
Not content to rest on its laurels, Limpid is also ramping up its production capabilities. The company is expanding its production lines by acquiring an additional factory near its current facility.
A Limpid spokesperson said the company aims to double its production capacity by mid-year, adding that the expansion will help build a robust system to produce both its domestic brand, Trusty Food, and its export products simultaneously without compromising quality.
The spokesperson also said that once the expansion is complete, Limpid will have one of the industry’s largest production infrastructures, giving it a meaningful competitive edge in the global market.
Limpid’s journey began last November with the acquisition of a freeze-dried pet food factory. Since then, the company has established its own formula research lab and formed a joint venture clinical trial CRO with Kyungpook National University. Industry experts praise Rimpid for its vertically integrated structure, which encompasses everything from R&D to production and export.
The U.S. pet food market is a goldmine, valued at $54 billion, making it the largest in the world. The premium alternative pet food segment, which includes freeze-dried options, is experiencing an impressive annual growth of 5-9%. American pet parents are particularly fond of freeze-dried pet food due to its ability to preserve nutrients while offering extended shelf life.
Kim Hee Soo, CEO of Limpid, said that securing FDA Food Facility Registration is formal recognition of the company’s world-class quality management system, adding that Limpid is thrilled to begin U.S. exports this month and showcase K-pet food on the global stage.
Kim also said that in Korea, the company will continue to lead the premium freeze-dried pet food market with Trusty Food, and added that it plans to expand its pet healthcare business by focusing on holistic pet health management through its prescription food brand Doctor Trusty and AI-powered precision nutrition solutions.