An Israeli food tech company says it now has the green light to sell its lab-grown milk protein to dairy manufacturers and food companies in Canada.
Remilk says it received a B次元官网网址渓etter of no objectionB次元官网网址� from Health Canada regarding its version of the BLG protein, which can be used as a non-animal source ingredient in products that look and taste like traditional milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
The company says the protein is equivalent to its cow-derived counterpart, but no animals are involved in its creation through a process called precision fermentation. The company is also seeking a Canadian partner to help launch and distribute its product.
Remilk says animal-free dairy is more environmentally sustainable than traditional dairy production, and it also doesnB次元官网网址檛 contain lactose, cholesterol or growth hormones.
A notice posted on Health CanadaB次元官网网址檚 website confirms the federal agency has no objection to the use of the animal-free milk protein in food, and no safety concerns.
It says Health Canada received a submission in 2022 to allow the sale of the BLG protein produced from a genetically modified yeast strain and that scientists conducted a thorough analysis of the data Remilk provided.
B次元官网网址淔ollowing this assessment, it was determined that the 尾-lactoglobulin protein produced in this yeast strain does not pose a greater risk to human health than whey protein from cowB次元官网网址檚 milk that is currently available on the Canadian market,B次元官网网址� the Health Canada safety assessment says.
Health Canada also says this protein B次元官网网址渋s no different in nutritional value compared to whey protein from cowB次元官网网址檚 milk.B次元官网网址�
The agency, however, notes the protein may produce the same allergic response as milk when itB次元官网网址檚 consumed, so all products containing it must be labelled accordingly.
B次元官网网址淐anada is an important market for us, and we are proud to be the first to enter with an opportunity to deliver an unparalleled dairy experience for Canadians,B次元官网网址� Remilk said in a statement, noting it received a similar B次元官网网址渘o questionsB次元官网网址� letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and got regulatory approval in Israel last year.
B次元官网网址淲e are now ready to partner with leading food companies in the country and offer consumers a whole new experience of guilt-free indulgence.B次元官网网址�
Health Canada says RemilkB次元官网网址檚 intent is to sell this protein in bulk to food manufacturers for use in a variety of products such as nutrition bars, plant-based beverages, dairy-based products, baked goods, sauces, condiments and soups.
The regulator says it is not intended for sale direct to consumers or for use in infant formula.
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