ImaginDairy Joining the Food Disruption
Cutting methane emissions is clearly the most important action we can take to slow the rate of warming. While cutting methane has arrived on the climate agenda, action has focussed on fossil fuels, which while essential, neglects the larger source of methane, beef, and dairy production. Recent announcements provide early indicators this may be beginning to change.
Imagindairy recently received the FDA OK for their non-animal derived milk proteins, which are the same in nutrition, taste and use as cow-based proteins. The company joins Remilk and Perfect Day as the 3rd company to receive the FDA tick. All 3 use precision fermentation, which some, like RethinkX argue could transform animal protein markets.
Precision Fermentation (PF) utilises micro-organisms programmed to produce specific molecules. The FDA's approval opens the opportunity for these disruptive innovators to collaborate with established food companies use their protein in various dairy products. ImaginDairy have collaborated already with Danone and Strauss giving them a clear route to market.
While these are just a few examples, it is an interesting case of what RethinkX argued in their 2019 report - that PF based foods had the potential to be superior to their predecessors in every way – quality, safety and price - and disrupt the food and agriculture industries. We’re still in early days, but given how technology accelerates once markets take them on, this is definitely a space to watch.
Published by The Times of Israel | 4 January 2024