How Instagram’s wellness gurus are warping what we eat

Another week, another great batch of stories for you! As ever, we’re diving into the latest developments shaping the future of sustainable protein – and there’s plenty to get your teeth into…

We begin with a significant regulatory milestone: a precision-fermented dairy protein has just received the FDA’s green light for use in the USA, marking a major step forward for the next-gen functional ingredients space. Could this be the moment that opens the floodgates for more alt-dairy innovation?

Meanwhile, one of the most ambitious players in the fermentation field has announced a 100-fold scale-up of its flagship product, signaling a move from pilot to commercial production. The company is now preparing to deliver this novel protein from air at industrial volumes.

On the fungi front, new funding is set to accelerate the scale-up of a mycoprotein that promises high yield and sustainability – so what’s next for biomass fermentation?

From our plates to our pets: a fascinating new study suggests that a shift to vegan pet food could dramatically reduce global emissions and feed millions. But is it nutritionally viable in the long run?

Elsewhere, a new European coalition has been formed to tackle the twin challenges of food innovation and sustainability. Could this be the framework the industry needs to coordinate real progress?

Texture remains a sticking point for many plant-based foods, but a new methylcellulose-free solution aims to change that. With clean-label credentials and thermal stability, it could offer manufacturers a valuable new tool.

Also making headlines: a cultivated seafood collaboration aims to bring cell-cultivated tuna to Japanese tables, combining regional know-how with cultivated expertise. Can this approach finally crack the seafood scale-up challenge?

And finally, a spotlight on the darker side of digital influence – how self-styled diet gurus on social media are spreading misleading nutritional claims to millions. What does this mean for science-based food innovation?

To stay ahead of the curve in the world of alternative protein production, you can follow us on LinkedIn for daily updates and breaking news and look on our website for loads more developments. In the meantime, we hope you have another amazing week!

📱 Instagram’s diet gurus are spreading misinformation – and millions are buying it

🍄 NoMy secures new funding round led by Nitten Sugar to boost mycoprotein scaleup

☀️ Solar Foods confirms 100-fold scaleup of Solein production at Factory 01