The Better Meat Co., a food tech company based in Sacramento, has been awarded a $1.4 million grant from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as part of the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). This funding will support the company’s production of its proprietary mycoprotein ingredient, Rhiza.
“The United States will be greatly advantaged by taking a leadership role in biomanufacturing”
The DBIMP, which aims to strengthen the United States’ bioeconomic capabilities while enhancing the DoD’s advanced defense capabilities, recently announced seven awards to bioindustrial firms. The Better Meat Co. was one of the recipients, alongside other companies such as Industrial Microbes, Modular Genetics, ZymoChem, and Biosphere, encompassing five defense material priority areas: food, fuel, fitness, fabrication, and firepower. These non-medical investments will build domestic capabilities across the US and help mitigate future supply chain risks.
“The United States will be greatly advantaged by taking a leadership role in biomanufacturing, especially when it comes to efficient, innovative methods of food production,” said Paul Shapiro, CEO of The Better Meat Co.
The Better Meat Co. specializes in transforming microscopic fungi through a fermentation process into a high-quality protein known as Rhiza mycoprotein. The company, which operates as a business-to-business ingredients supplier, provides Rhiza to food manufacturers seeking sustainable protein alternatives.
FDA green light
The company recently achieved recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), receiving a “no questions” letter in response to its determination that Rhiza is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
The grant from the DoD will be used to scale up the production of Rhiza, which is already being produced in large quantities at the company’s Sacramento pilot plant. The plant’s 9,000-liter fermentation system has successfully completed 100 harvests, leading to a significant reduction in the cost of Rhiza. The company has reported that it can produce the mycoprotein from “seed to harvest” in just a few hours, reaching cost parity with commodity beef.
Biotech for national security
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Heidi Shyu, spoke on the importance of these investments: “President Biden called on the Department of Defense to assess how the agency can use biotechnology to make our supply chains more resilient, create jobs at home, and strengthen America’s economy. These major investments will help answer his charge to harness the full potential and power of biotechnology to advance national and economic security.”
