Key Takeaways
- The Protein Brewery’s Fermotein mycoprotein has been approved for sale in the EU, expected to launch in Q3 2026.
- This marks the first mycelium ingredient authorized under the EU’s Novel Food Regulation, after six years in review.
Approval Milestone for Fermotein
The European Commission has granted approval for The Protein Brewery’s Fermotein mycoprotein, marking it as the first mycelium-based ingredient authorized under the EU’s Novel Food Regulation. This decision follows a positive vote from the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in May and a favorable scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in December.
Fermotein, labeled as Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium, is already approved for sale in Singapore and has achieved self-GRAS status in the United States. Regulatory applications are also advancing in the UK, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand. The Protein Brewery expects to supply around 600 metric tons of Fermotein from its demonstration-scale factory in Breda, Netherlands, in 2027, with production capabilities projected to exceed 2,000 tons by 2029.
According to CEO Thijs Bosch, this approval sets a groundbreaking precedent in food technology, confirming that new whole-food mycelium ingredients fit within the existing EU regulatory framework. The development has garnered attention from the European food biotech sector, which has been closely monitoring the approval process.
While the approval is a significant step forward, Lea Seyfarth, policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe, expressed concerns regarding the six-year timeline for approval. She emphasized the need for regulatory frameworks to evolve more swiftly alongside European food innovation. Seyfarth urged the EU to enhance the capacity of the EFSA and provide detailed guidance to applicants before the submission of regulatory dossiers.
In addition to Fermotein, the market for mycoproteins is expanding. While Quorn has been a pioneer, numerous startups are now emerging with innovative biomass products derived from various microbes. Companies such as Nature’s Fynd, Superbrewed Foods, and others are diversifying the landscape of meat alternatives.
Fermotein distinguishes itself as a protein-rich powder suitable for various applications, not solely focused on alternative meat products. Bosch noted that the choice to produce a powder instead of a wet mycoprotein allows for easier export to markets like the US and Singapore. With its neutral taste and nutritional profile—approximately 50% complete protein, 35% healthy fibers, vitamins, and minerals—Fermotein is positioned mainly as a nutritional ingredient. Bosch also highlighted that their different strain of mycoprotein, grown under non-sterile conditions, results in a less capital-intensive production process compared to other players in the sector.
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