Unilever's brand Breyers has launched a new dairy-free ice cream made with animal-free dairy proteins from Perfect Day.

© Perfect Day

Products & Launches

Unilever’s Breyers Launches Lactose-Free Ice Cream made with Animal-Free Whey Protein

Unilever brand Breyers, an ice cream company in business since 1886, has launched a new lactose and cholesterol-free product made with animal-free whey protein. Unilever, one of the world’s biggest CPG companies, partnered with Perfect Day, a pioneer producer of whey protein from precision fermentation, to introduce a more sustainable product than dairy ice cream but with the same taste and texture. Perfect Day claims its protein is identical to cow’s whey offering a lower environmental impact — its process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 97% and reduces blue water consumption by up to 99% compared to traditional production methods. An exciting innovation The new Breyers Lactose-Free Chocolate is described as providing the creamy taste people expect from the brand, and will be available …

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Investments & Finance

Perfect Day Secures $90M to Scale Whey Proteins, Co-Founders Step Down for New Leadership

Perfect Day, a US precision fermentation company producing whey proteins, announces that it has raised a pre-series E financing round of up to $90 million led by internal investors. After securing the funding round, co-founder and CEO Ryan Pandya and co-founder Perumal Gandhi have stepped down from a decade of operational management roles. “They now hand the reigns to a team poised to continue their work into a period of scaling production volumes and creating a profitable and future-focused business,” reads the announcement. The Berkeley-based biotech also announced the company’s current president, TM Narayan, as the interim CEO to helm the business on its path to profitability. According to the biotech, Narayan will bring an “elevated” leadership to the company by offering his strong track record …

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Brave Robot/ Coolhaus Mint Sandwich

©Brave Robot/ Coolhaus

Investments & Acquisitions

Superlatus Takes on Perfect Day’s Animal-Free Brands Through Acquisition of The Urgent Company, Plus Further Surprise Moves

Two companies have merged and announced the acquisition of Perfect Day’s CPG business, The Urgent Company.  Superlatus, a food tech innovator and distribution company, and TRxADE HEALTH (NASDAQ: MEDS), a leading pharmaceutical exchange platform, have acquired The Urgent Company’s portfolio of animal-free brands: Brave Robot, Coolhaus, Modern Kitchen, and California Performance Co.   As part of the acquisition, Natasha Case, founder of Coolhaus, will rejoin the brand as chief brand officer, playing a pivotal role in the integration process. She will also be an advisor to Superlatus’ broader portfolio of brands. The Urgent Company The Urgent Company was founded in 2020 as a B2C to commercialize Perfect Day’s animal-free whey protein. The company debuted with Brave Robot and its revolutionary cow-free ice cream. Its products, including cream …

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Perfect Day and Unico Nutrition launch a hybrid protein powder featuring whey protein from fermentation and dairy proteins

© Unico Nutrition

Fermentation

New Chapter for Animal-Free Whey Protein: Perfect Day Expands into the Hybrid Dairy Category

Perfect Day, now describing itself as a producer of whey from fermentation, rather than a producer of animal-free whey, announces a partnership with sports supplements brand Unico Nutrition to launch what they claim is the first-ever hybrid protein powder, Apollo II. The new product — not vegan — is a hybrid version of Unico Nutrition’s best-selling protein powder. Its unique formula combines grass-fed milk protein, egg white, and sustainable whey made from fermentation, explains Perfect Day. “This first-of-its-kind hybrid product, combining the best of traditional dairy and our dairy from fermentation, marks an exciting new chapter in how we are extending our kinder, greener impact. Unico’s Apollo II brings to life what’s possible when you are deeply committed to collaboration,” says Paul Vraciu, head of commercial at …

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Animal-Free Dairy Milk

© Bored Cow

Politics & Law

Dairy Farmers’ Letter to the FDA: “It is Baseless, Preposterous and Absurd” to Refer to Animal-Free Dairy as Milk

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has written a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging it to ban the word ‘milk’ in the labeling of synthetic food products, arguing it violates the federal dairy Standard of Identity. The NMPF argues that milk is “the lacteal secretions of healthy cows (are dairy cows healthy?) and that alternatives made with synthetic dairy proteins simply use the word to masquerade as natural.  NMPF’s highlight of mislabeling is Bored Cow’s animal-free dairy milk made with precision fermentation-derived whey protein and other ingredients such as oils, sugars, water, vitamins, and minerals. Bored Cow’s animal-free milk launched at US natural foods retailer Sprouts Farmers Market this April. The company claims its milk alternative contains 8g of protein per cup (like …

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Bored Cow milks launch at Sprouts Farmers Markets

© Bored Cow

Retail & E-Commerce

Huge Milestone for Perfect Day & Bored Cow as Animal-Free Milk Arrives at Sprouts

Perfect Day, a precision fermentation dairy specialist making sustainable whey protein, announces that its partner Bored Cow is launching its complete line of animal-free milk at Sprouts Farmers Market.   According to Bored Cow, its milk can replace conventional dairy milk because it offers eight grams of complete protein per cup and is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, without lactose, cholesterol, hormones, or antibiotics. Perfect Day and Tomorrow Farms‘ brand, Bored Cow, have thus reached a major milestone as these animal-free CPGs become available to end-consumers for retail purchase. Perfect Day’s animal-free whey proteins replace milk in Nourishh and Modern Kitchen’s cream cheese; in Brave Robot, Villa Dolce, Nick’s and Graeter’s ice cream; and other products such as sports nutrition (California Performance and …

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whey protein developer daisy lab

© Daisy Lab

Fermentation

This Week in Animal-Free Dairy: Whey Protein Startups Navigate the Industry Challenges

This week, new developments from whey protein startups Remilk, Perfect Day, and emerging food tech Daisy Lab give us a closer look at some challenges these companies face to make animal-free dairy a reality. Remilk postpones plans for precision fermentation in Denmark Earlier this month, Remilk announced it had postponed its plans to build the “world’s largest full-scale precision fermentation facility” in Denmark. The Israel-based startup has now said that to accelerate its production goals, a contract manufacturer in Western Europe would produce the company’s whey proteins using its patented methods. Last year, Remilk raised $120 million to scale its animal-free protein production, envisioning its first precision fermentation facility in Europe. “Increased demand for our protein led us to focus on immediate production solutions that …

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Vegan Egg White

© The Every Co.

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

9 Global Food Tech Leaders Join Forces to Launch The Precision Fermentation Alliance

Today, nine leaders in precision fermentation announce they are coming together to establish the Precision Fermentation Alliance, a new trade organization to promote precision fermentation as a solution for a more resilient and sustainable food system.  Intended to serve as an industry voice for the precision fermentation industry, the group’s founding members include Change Foods, The EVERY Co., Helaina, Imagindairy, Motif FoodWorks, New Culture, Onego Bio, Perfect Day, and Remilk. Precision fermentation involves the process of creating nature-identical versions of popular products and ingredients (like dairy and egg proteins) by utilizing the natural ability of microorganisms to turn sugars into proteins and other complex organic molecules. According to the Alliance, its members have aligned on the following goals: Promote understanding of precision fermentation technology. Build …

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The Laughing Cow Plant Based

©Bel Brands USA

Products & Launches

Update: Bel Brands USA Unveils First Animal-Free Dairy with Nurishh Incredible Dairy and Laughing Cow Plant-Based

Update Jan 4th: Comment from Bel USA as follows. Due to unforeseen production challenges of The Laughing Cow Plant-Based, rollout in the US has been delayed. We remain excited and eager for The Laughing Cow fans to try it when it’s available on shelves. Following the successful launches of Babybel Plant Based and Boursin Dairy-Free, Bel Brands USA announces the launch of The Laughing Cow Plant Based and Nurishh Incredible Dairy Animal Free Cream Cheese – its first animal-free product created in partnership with Perfect Day.  Debuting at select retailers, including Kroger and Whole Foods, the new offerings include:  The Laughing Cow Plant Based – Certified plant-based and vegan, The Laughing Cow Plant Based delivers the same taste and creamy spreadability people know and love. …

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Perfect Day Cowabunga Milk

©Perfect Day

Products & Launches

Nestle Trials ‘Cowabunga’ Animal-Free Beverages Made with Perfect Day Whey

Alt-dairy startup Perfect Day announces that Nestle has begun testing its first animal-free milk product, Cowabunga, in select Safeway stores in San Francisco. Made with Perfect Day’s fermented whey protein, Cowabunga Animal-Free Dairy Beverages is the first product collaboration between the two companies.  Available in Original and Chocolate flavors, each 15 oz serving of Cowabunga contains 14 grams of fat and 250 calories, and is fortified with calcium and Vitamin D. Along with Perfect Day’s animal-free whey protein, the drinks contain oat concentrate and high oleic sunflower oil.  Cowbunga, which appears to be a chilled product, is currently being trialed at six Safeway stores in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Latest liquid milk Perfect Day and Nestle first revealed a joint collaboration in September, when …

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© Perfect Day

Company News

Perfect Day Acquires Sterling Biotech and Receives First Regulatory Approval in India

Alt-dairy pioneer Perfect Day announces it has acquired Sterling Biotech Limited (SBL) in India, whose state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities will double Perfect Day’s production capacity in the near term. In addition, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority has approved the company’s application for its animal-free milk proteins, opening the door for commercialization in India.  By purchasing Sterling Biotech, Perfect Day says its production capability will double with the addition of four high-value manufacturing assets, including robust precision fermentation that will allow it to expand fermentation capacity in the coming months while continuing to serve existing SBL customers.  The facilities also are outfitted for other premium, pharmaceutical-grade ingredient production, including gelatin and dicalcium phosphate, which Perfect Day says is part of its mission to expand beyond animal-free …

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alternative protein market company Upside Foods serves a cultivated chicken burger

© UPSIDE Foods

Business Wire

Global Cultured Meat Markets Report – By 2040, a Projected 60% of Meat will be Created from Cells Grown Within Bioreactors and Sold Across Grocery Stores and Restaurants Worldwide

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “The Global Market for Cultured Meat – Market Size, Trends, Competitors, and Forecasts (2022)” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. By 2040, a projected 60% of the meat will be created from cells grown within bioreactors and sold across grocery stores and restaurants worldwide. The rise of the cultured meat market will be supported by the sustainability of the process, as well as the industry’s ability to provide “tailor-made nutrition” through its meat and seafood products. Recent surveys indicate that nearly 50% of the consumers do not have any reservations about cultured meat. Over the next 10 to 20 years, the cultured meat market is projected to act as a major disruptor to the conventional meat market. The number of startups focused …

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Unilever Dairy Proteins

©Unilever

Company News

Unilever May Launch Its First Animal-Free Dairy Ice Cream in 2023

Multinational food giant Unilever reveals it is currently using precision fermentation techniques to develop its first animal-free dairy ice cream. The company might launch its first precision-fermented ice cream product sometime next year, reports Bloomberg.  Unilever is the world’s largest ice cream manufacturer and owns top-selling brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Magnum, and Klondike.  Andy Sztehlo, Unilever’s head of research and development, says the company is working with several startups on animal-free versions of its ice cream, and if successful, would likely launch fermented dairy proteins in one of its major brands in 2023. He also noted he had recently tasted prototypes.  The entry into animal-free dairy is part of Unilever’s environmental stategy, which seeks to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by its …

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Onego Bio Egg White

©Onego Bio

Company News

Perfect Day Unveils ‘nth Biology’ Hub, Partners with Onego Bio for Egg White Proteins

Alternative dairy leader Perfect Day announces the launch nth Bio – a new enterprise biology business that will offer the company’s precision fermentation expertise and technology to companies around the world. The startup also reveals nth Bio’s first public partner as Onego Bio, which specializes in making animal-free egg whites. Based in Salt Lake City, nth Bio seeks to accelerate the development of more responsibly sourced food, pharmaceuticals and textiles using the power of precision fermentation. To accomplish this, nth provides bioengineers access to critical tools, expertise, infrastructure and technology needed to create impact in the food sector and beyond.  According to the company, the name ‘nth’ perfectly describes its larger vision and mission.  “The name nth Bio comes from the exponential impact we stand …

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Nestle Dairy-Free Creamers

©Nestle

Company News

Nestle Partners with Perfect Day to Trial Animal-Free Dairy in US

Nestle, the world’s largest publicly held food company, announces it is partnering with fermentation startup Perfect Day to explore the development of products made with animal-free dairy protein. The company will pilot its first product, an unnamed milk-like beverage, later this year at select stores, says Nestle. Created by Nestle’s R&D teams in Switzerland, the beverage contains Perfect Day’s animal-free protein and is identical to the whey protein found in cow’s milk. It also offers the same nutritional and functionality benefits of conventional dairy while being suitable for vegans and lactose-free.  The product will be piloted through its newly established US-based R+D Accelerator, which aims to bring highly differentiated product concepts to market in just six months.  A changing portfolio According to Nestle, dairy products …

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Myprotein Perfect Day Animal-Free Whey Powder

©Myprotein

Products & Launches

Myprotein and Perfect Day Launch ‘Whey Forward’ Dairy-Identical Performance Protein Powder

Myprotein, the world’s leading online sports nutrition brand, has partnered with startup Perfect Day to launch Whey Forward – a “no-compromise” performance protein powder made with animal-free dairy. Developed with Perfect Day’s precision fermentation, Whey Forward is a ready-to-mix product that offers the same taste and nutrition as whey found in cow’s milk, but with no lactose and a significantly reduced environmental impact. With 20 grams of protein per serving, Whey Forward also matches the nutritional needs of Impact Whey, Myprotein’s award-winning traditional whey protein powder. Whey Forward is available in three serving sizes and flavors: Creamy Mint Chocolate Chip, Rich Salted Caramel and Decadent Chocolate Brown. “With Whey Forward, we are removing a barrier to make it even easier for people to find a protein that best …

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Mars Perfect Day Chocolate

©Mars, Inc.

Sweets & Snacks

Mars Partners with Perfect Day to Launch First Animal-Free Milk Chocolate

Confectionery leader Mars, Inc. is joining with startup Perfect Day to launch the company’s first animal-free chocolate innovation in the US. Made with Perfect Day’s nature-identical dairy protein, the new CO2COA chocolate provides consumers with silky smooth, lactose-free chocolate that is also earth-friendly.  An eco-chocolate experience CO2COA joins Mars’ iconic family of snacks and treats, including M&M’S, Snickers, Skittles, and Extra Gum. The CO2COA name is inspired by sustainability, which pays homage to the reduction of CO2 greenhouse gases and the sourcing of Rainforest Alliance-Certified cocoa. In addition to being lactose- and cholesterol-free, the chocolate is wrapped in paper-based packaging.  “At Mars, we bring our consumer-passion to innovation, developing on-trend innovations that support a world where both people and the planet thrive,” said Chris Rowe, …

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Brave Robot/ Coolhaus Ice Cream

©Brave Robot/ Coolhaus

Sweets & Snacks

Brave Robot and Coolhaus Release First Joint Product: Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches

Brave Robot, the animal-free ice cream brand created by The Urgent Company, and cult favorite ice cream brand Coolhaus announce the debut of Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches, the two companies’ first collaborative product.  “Creamy and decadent” Made with Perfect Day’s cow-free milk protein, the Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are launching at US Krogers stores nationwide this month. The launch marks the first time Coolhaus, a women-owned brand that was acquired by The Urgent Company last year, is leveraging animal-free dairy ingredients in its product line.  The ice cream sandwiches will be available in two varieties: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Mint Chocolate Chip. Each flavor retails for $7.99 per pack of three sandwiches. Each sandwich contains 290 calories and is completely …

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Strive's animal-free milk

© Strive Nutrition

Food & Beverage

Strive Nutrition Partners With Perfect Day For FREEMILK Alt Dairy With Animal-Free Whey Protein

Strive Nutrition Corp. is partnering with alt-dairy leader Perfect Day to release a new line of milk alternatives enriched with animal-free whey protein. Launching online in July, the lineup will feature the flagship product FREEMILK Whole as well as Oat+Protein and Almond+Protein, which promise to deliver the rich taste of dairy milk with more protein and nutritional benefits.  Strive’s lead product is FREEMILK Whole, which foams, whips, blends, and cooks like traditional dairy. Made with Perfect Day’s precision-fermented whey protein, FREEMILK provides 25% more protein, 75% less sugar and less saturated fat than regular whole cow’s milk. The product is also free from lactose, cholesterol, hormones and antibiotics, and will be available in a nutritious Chocolate variety. 10x the protein Strive’s other offerings, Oat+Protein and …

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Mooless Whey Protein

©Natreve

Health

Natreve’s MOOLESS Animal-Free Whey Protein Enters Retail at 600+ Vitamin Shoppe Stores

Natreve, a nutrition and wellness brand, announces its highly anticipated MOOLESS animal-free whey protein is now available in over 690 Vitamin Shoppe stores across the US. The news marks the official retail launch for MOOLESS, a protein powder made with Perfect Day’s precision fermented whey. The product is also available through Natreve’s website and will expand to more retailers in the coming months.  Containing 20 grams of protein, 4.6 grams of BCAAs and a full range of digestive enzymes, MOOLESS is molecularly identical to conventional, cow-derived whey and provides the same nutritional benefits, Natreve states. Unlike animal-based whey, MOOLESS does not contain any lactose and hormones.  A first mover Available in four flavors – Vanilla Bean Cupcake, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookies and Cream and Strawberry …

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