FeedKind protein recognized as safe for use in salmonid feeds by the United States Food and Drug Administration

Calysta, a world leader in fermented protein, has announced that its leading product, FeedKind, has achieved generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Veterinary Medicine, that have granted for use in salmonid feeds at up to 18% of the diet. In the United States (US) FeedKind will be listed now under its common name, dried fermentation biomass.

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

The ruling means aquaculture companies in the US now have access to a nutritionally rich and non-GMO protein ingredient that both helps preserve biodiversity while addressing a growing market need for proteins for feed and food.

According to Calysta’s directors, FeedKind, is made using very little water and no agricultural land by fermenting low cost, land free carbon sources, to create a safe, nutritious, traceable, and affordable protein.

Produced via a natural fermentation, it is non-GMO, price competitive with existing sources of protein and produced to the highest quality standards. FeedKind has been commercially validated through extensive customer trials in aquaculture and agriculture.

Intentions to expand its production

GRAS status comes after Calysta successfully switched on its first commercial-scale facility via Calysseo, its joint venture with animal feed giant Adisseo, providing 20,000 tonnes of protein for the Asian aquaculture market. Calysseo has already announced its intentions to expand its production footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“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. 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”, LeBlanc added.

Lower carbon footprint

In the other hand, Herman Sloot, Vice President of Commercial Development assured: “US GRAS status was a key achievement for us, so we are very pleased with the official notice. This brings the US closer in line with existing approvals in other markets throughout the world, such as the EU, 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. 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,” Sloot added.

Making protein without limits

Calysta based in San Mateo, California, is a biotechnology company working towards a future where the world’s growing population has guaranteed food security.

Calysta’s aim, assures its directives, is to make protein without limits by fermenting low cost, land free carbon sources, to create new feed and food products, creating sustainable, high value nutritional ingredients that don’t interfere with the human food chain.

FeedKind protein is a family of highly digestible feed ingredients produced by a natural fermentation. Developed in Norway with more than two decades of animal studies, FeedKind protein is approved for sale in the European Union with registration processes initiated in countries worldwide.