Background

Food Pharmacy was born in a life-defining moment. Mia Clase and Lina Nertby Aurell had recently become parents and experienced the loss of close family, which sparked an existential crisis. As a consequence, a desire to take better care of their health was also born. That is where their journey towards better wellbeing began, and Food Pharmacy was born. In the beginning it was about exploring their own curiosity, learning more about how food affects our health and at the same time sharing the knowledge with others in a fun and joyful way. The blog attracted more people and showed that they had the potential to influence public health positively. Many years have now passed since Food Pharmacy started, and Mia and Lina have had time to publish several books and are today one of Sweden's largest platforms and podcasts within health.

We got the chance to meet Mia and Lina and hear more about what their animals mean to them, what is important to them when they choose food and why Petgood feels like exactly the right choice.

Hi Mia and Lina, would you like to tell us a little more about yourselves?

Food Pharmacy wants to inspire food that strengthens our health and has less impact on our climate. Yes, for us it is just as obvious that food for animals should be healthy, just as it is for us humans.

How do you view the role of animals in the family and their impact on people's wellbeing?

Through research we know that relationships, not only with other people but also relationships with animals, are something that affects our health very positively. I dare to promise that everyone who has an animal can sign off on that. You get company, love - it is such an incredibly important part of life, I think, having always been surrounded by animals.

Tell us more about your dog, Taxi, and cat Whistler, Mia?

Taxi is 5 years old and is now 100% on insect-based food. She has eaten Petgood non-stop for 2 years. Taxi is a classic divorce dog. She was bought as comfort for the family, in a part of life when we were going through a big break-up. Whistler came along a few years later, because we wanted company for Taxi.

And you, Lina, you also have a horse?

Yes exactly, we have a pony that is very active and also brings incredibly much joy and love. We also had a dog (Pyret) before, but who sadly passed away a year ago.

When I got divorced about 10 years ago, we had little Pyret at home who really was the children's security for many years. But the horse has really been a source of security too. Everyone who has been in a stable knows that there is nowhere you become so calm and feel so good as when you hear horses munching hay and smell the stable scent.

But a horse is a slightly different pet compared to a dog and cat, because you do not keep it in your house (usually). I actually know that Lisen Bratt Fredricson, one of the most famous horse people in Sweden, tends to bring her little shetland pony into the kitchen. Like Pippi Longstocking. I get so jealous of her, because I would have loved to bring my horse into the kitchen, but that is a bit difficult when you live in an apartment in central Stockholm... But the day I live in the countryside, then I will also bring a horse into the kitchen.

Have you reflected on the climate impact of your four-legged family members?

Yes, actually I had no idea that cats and dogs account for such a large share of global meat consumption, but one of the experts within food and health that we got to know early on in our journey raised this question early. He said "It should be forbidden to have a dog". Oh, why is that, I said? "Well, think of the climate impact these little dogs have on the planet". We were shocked; until then we had not thought much about it, that was at the start of our journey with food. Now we know.

How do you think about antibiotics?

We have worked a lot on spreading knowledge about antibiotic resistance, which is a huge threat today. It is often said that it is as big a threat as the climate threat. When it comes to animal food, traceability of the meat can be difficult. I think that a company wants to be profitable, so then it might buy the cheapest meat, produced far away where they do not have the same laws and regulations that we have here in Sweden, and that a lot of antibiotics might then be used for preventive purposes.

What is important when you choose food for your four-legged ones?

Well, absolutely that it is nutritious, and high-quality protein, and that it has as little climate impact as possible. But also that the dog and cat like it, of course. Animals can be quite picky. But no, that problem we actually do not have with Petgood; here it is rather the opposite problem. I have actually never seen them throw themselves over the food the way they do now. I have to hurry to put the bag at the very top of a shelf, otherwise Whistler claws it open as soon as the delivery arrives. It is like hiding candy from the children, except I hide Petgood from the cat.

What was your first reaction when you came into contact with insect-based dog and cat food?

I felt that this is genius. It is often the case that people do not know what they can do to reduce their climate footprint, and here we have something that is an incredibly simple choice, to swap something with a large climate footprint for something with a small climate footprint.

What has inspired you to work together with Petgood?

We stand for the same values; Petgood happens to have specialised in animals and we have focused in on people, but it is the same values at the core: nutritious and sustainable food that is good for health and the planet. And then it is also important that we are two animal lovers who grew up with animals and who have always had animals around us, so for us it is just as important that animals should have good food as that people should have good food. We are crazy cats, dogs and horse ladies!

What sets Petgood apart in your eyes?

Absolutely, it is that Petgood is a bit of the best in class when it comes to insect-based animal food. There are many companies today that offer insect-based food, more and more, but Petgood has the research behind it.

Yes, Petgood are the insect experts. And there are insects in everything, not only in the food that Whistler and Taxi eat, there are insects in their treats and chew bones too (which Taxi absolutely loves!).

What do Taxi and Whistler think of the food?

Taxi is a bit of the pickier type, so she has actually had a bit of a hard time when it comes to dog food before, but I have never had any problems whatsoever with Petgood; she threw herself over it from the very first second. I think it has to do with her also being a nutrition hunter, just like us. She has surely understood something through our books and blog, insta... you should not underestimate a dog.

With Whistler, the cat, it is easier, he eats most things but, as said, we have to hide the packages from him, otherwise he breaks into them; he claws the package open, that is. That is still a good grade.

How do your messages connect?

Our message is food for health and the planet, we usually say: you have two homes; your body and the planet, make sure to give them the best conditions you possibly can. Here I think we share exactly the same message.

What tips do you have for someone who wishes to live a little more healthily and sustainably?

This is one of the best tips we have, to swap out the dog and cat food if you have a dog or cat. It is such a simple way to do the planet and the animals a huge favour.

Finish the sentence "Insects are..."

...the future!
...so tasty!