Advances in Cell-Based Meat Production

Interview with Eyal Rosenthal, CEO of Ever After Foods, Ltd.

While the bans and regulatory issues are largely derived from those how make a living through animal husbandry, the investor flight can be attributed to the challenge of scale-up which seems to have taken far longer to solve than expected. Although some 150 companies out there are competing in the race to get cell-based meat to market, even those who have a successful bench product have found the cost to scale up without losing quality is still just too high. Remember the $300,000 cell-based hamburger from 2015?

This could all change soon. It looks as if Ever After Foods, Ltd., a food technology company in Israel has passed the tipping point in overcoming the barrier of scale-up in cell-based meat production. And they’ve done so by shifting the paradigm. According to Ever After CEO Eyal Rosenthal, the hang-up all along has been that cultivators of animal protein are using the same technology of large steel bioreactors which use mixers and stirrers that generate high mechanical stress, disrupting the animal cells and tissues. The result is unstructured slurries that need further manipulation rather than the creation of actual muscle meat.

Watch the interview.

Superbrewed Food Receives US FDA No-Questions for Bacteria Biomass Protein

The GRAS determination covers a broad range of food and beverage uses, paving the way for widespread adoption by brand owners

Superbrewed Food, a provider ofsustainable nutrition products, announced that it has received a no-questions letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its determination of the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status of their patent protected (US Patent 11,918,019), transformational Postbiotic Cultured Protein.

Postbiotic Cultured Protein is a FDA-notified, bacteria-derived biomass ingredient, similar in concept to nutritional fungal proteins, and a natural progression of consumer-accepted probiotics and prebiotics. Superbrewed’s GRAS determination covers a broad range of food and beverage uses, thus paving the way for widespread adoption by brand owners. GRAS is a designation created by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. It establishes that a new food ingredient or additive has adequate evidence of safety to be consumed under the conditions and levels of intended use.

Superbrewed has filed applications for market authorization of Postbiotic Cultured Protein as a “novel food” in the European Union, Great Britain and Canada. As part of the European Commission’s market authorization process, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducts a safety evaluation on any microorganism in the novel food to determine if the microbial species is suitable for Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS). Superbrewed’s microorganism was added to the EFSA QPS list in January 2024 based on the well-documented absence of any safety concerns for humans, animals or the environment associated with the species.

Postbiotic Cultured Protein offers healthy, sustainable, non-GMO, animal-free and allergen-free nutrition that does not compromise on flavor, texture, or affordability. Moreover, it works well as a replacement or complement to animal and plant proteins in numerous food and beverage formulations. Postbiotic Cultured Protein is over 85% protein, with a high content of essential and branched-chain amino acids. It is a whole food ingredient, as opposed to a protein isolate; thereby it also contains beneficial minerals and vitamins, such as iron, zinc, phosphorous and B12, which deliver nutrition and health benefits beyond protein. Postbiotic Cultured Protein exhibits neutral taste, minimal color, excellent pH and temperature stability, and good functional properties. Accordingly, it functions well in sports and lifestyle beverages, baked goods, confectionery, meat alternatives, and healthy snacks. The ingredient performs well in dairy and alternative dairy applications, which are being advanced in strategic collaboration with Bel Group.

www.superbrewedfood.com

Barilla Expands Protein+ Pasta Line with Twirly Cellentani Shape

The pasta provides 17g of protein and 10g of fiber per 3.5oz serving

Barilla announced the newest addition to its line of Protein+® pastas – Cellentani (pronounced, "CHELL'-en-tah-nee"), a corkscrew shape made with classic golden wheat and protein from chickpeas, lentils and peas. Cellentani provides 17g of protein and 10g of fiber per 3.5oz serving, providing people with a good source of protein.

Barilla has partnered with professional soccer player Sydney Leroux – a longtime Protein+® fan and athlete who embodies the champion spirit of the brand – to announce Protein+®'s new Cellentani shape.

The functional "Cellentani" was first created and named by Barilla in the 1960s to honor famous Italian pop singer Adriano Celentano's whirling and springy dance moves. Now available in the Barilla Protein+® lineup, the pasta's twists and spirals make it useful for its versatility in cooking, especially in pasta salads and mac & cheese, and a hit for households with kids.

Barilla Protein+® Cellentani is available at Wegmans and on Amazon, and is coming soon to Kroger locations nationwide. With the addition of Cellentani, Barilla Protein+® is now available in eight different pasta shapes: Angel Hair, Elbows, Farfalle, Penne, Rotini, Spaghetti, Thin Spaghetti and Cellentani. While prices vary per retailer, all varieties have a suggested retail price of $3.49.

Beginning in April, pasta lovers and protein-seekers will also find the exciting new Protein+® branding and packaging on shelves.

www.barilla.com

Packaging Redesign for the Hormel® Natural Choice® Brand

New packaging for the brand’s line of deli products features new logo, and reduces the brand’s use of packaging materials for deli products by more than 168 tons per year

The makers of the HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® brand have prioritized the development of 100% natural deli products that provide nourishment for consumers. The brand team is unveiling a packaging redesign that delivers a refreshed logo, a TRUETASTE® Commitment and a reduction of packaging materials used.

The HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® line of deli products has a new look. In addition to a newly designed logo, the brand’s food-forward redesign is also supported by lighter packaging that will reduce its usage of packaging materials by an estimated 337,000 pounds per year over prior packaging. This update is part of ongoing efforts by the brand’s parent company, Hormel Foods, in focusing on reducing packaging materials, as outlined in the company’s 20 By 30 Challenge goals.

When consumers see the TRUETASTE® Commitment, they know that meat from the HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® brand has been packed, sealed and high-pressure processed to lock in natural flavor with no preservatives. High-pressure processing uses only cold water and high pressure to safely preserve food. As a result, consumers are left with a delicious tasting product.

Consumers can find these new-look products from the HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® brand at grocery retailers nationwide. 

www.hormelfoods.com