SAN MATEO, CALIF. — Calysta recently announced that its product FeedKind®, a fermented protein ingredient, has achieved generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the company, this is just the first step in expanding in the aquaculture and pet food markets.

“US GRAS status was a key achievement for us, so we are very pleased with the official notice,” said Herman Sloot, vice president of commercial development. “This brings the United States closer in line with existing approvals in other markets throughout the world, such as the European Union, and enables us to expand the market opportunity for this revolutionary product. This is an important first step in our path toward US GRAS status for use in pet foods to complement our existing EU and UK approvals for pet food.

“GRAS status also means the world has an effective and nutritious option added to its toolbox as it comes to grips with the need to produce more food while protecting biodiversity for current and future generations,” he added. “FeedKind has a far lower carbon footprint than conventional sources of animal protein and can help pet food and animal feed producers achieve their carbon reduction targets.”

FeedKind is produced using a novel, high-capacity u-loop reactor patented and developed by Calysta, which ferments microorganisms. It does not rely on any animal- or plant-based materials, boasting high sustainability and food security benefits.

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) granted the FeedKind ingredient GRAS status for use in salmonoid feeds at up to 18% of the diet. The ingredient will be listed as dried fermentation biomass. The GRAS status provides FeedKind with access to the US aquaculture market.

“With so many exciting developments in US aquaculture, we are thrilled to be able to access this market,” said Allan LeBlanc, vice president and aquaculture lead at Calysta. “FeedKind protein is a perfect fit for the trout industry and the burgeoning recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) industry for Atlantic salmon.

“FeedKind is an exceptional alternative to other sources of protein, and is free from heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics, ensuring animals are only fed the nutrients they need,” he added. “Because it can be produced year-round using no arable land and without using any plant or animal ingredients, it truly is a protein without limits.”

FeedKind’s GRAS status comes after many operational expansions for Calysta. In October 2022, Calysseo, the company’s joint venture with Adisseo, began operations at its new FeedKind facility in China. In November, Calysseo detailed its plans to expand into Saudi Arabia.

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