Further alarm bells for the animal based dairy industry as regulatory status begins to unlock the $1T global dairy market.
US based, New Culture announces its innovative animal-free casein has been recognised as 'Generally Recognised as Safe' (GRAS), marking a significant milestone in the company's journey towards the creation of ethical non-dairy alternatives. This declaration enables the commercial sale of the world’s first casein protein produced without any animal inputs, which could be as soon as late '24.
Source: New Culture Non-dairy casein
Based in San Leandro, California, New Culture has developed this casein using precision fermentation process mimicking the nutritional profile and functionality of traditional cow-derived casein while eliminating the need for animal farming.
This method not only ensures the product is reproducible and industry-standard but also significantly reduces the environmental footprint associated with dairy production, including greenhouse gas emissions, land, and water use.
The animal-free casein promises to deliver all the taste, texture, and versatility of conventional dairy products, making it an ideal ingredient for cheese, yogurt, and other dairy-based products.
New Culture's initial offering, a mozzarella cheese designed for pizzerias, showcases the product's ability to melt, stretch, and brown just like traditional cheese, offering a lactose-free, cholesterol-free, and hormone-free alternative without compromising on quality.
Source: New Culture cheese
The achievement of GRAS status is a testament to New Culture's commitment to innovation and sustainability in the dairy sector. By focusing on casein, the company addresses one of the most challenging aspects of creating animal-free dairy products, setting a new standard for the industry and paving the way for a broader acceptance and adoption of sustainable dairy alternatives.
The company is readying itself to scale-up manufacturing capacity in preparation for the first sale of its cheese, beginning at Nancy Silverton's acclaimed Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles.
Source: New Culture
"Having secured another 'world's first' for our animal-free casein is a testament to the hard working and innovative team we have at New Culture," said Inja Radman, co-founder and CSO. "Achieving GRAS status proves that animal inputs aren't needed to produce casein protein and marks an essential step on our path toward commercialisation."
As New Culture prepares for the commercial launch of its mozzarella cheese, the company's advancements signal a promising shift towards an animal-free dairy future, offering consumers environmentally friendly and ethical choices without sacrificing the culinary experiences they cherish.
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