Imagindairy has received the green light from Israel’s Ministry of Health, meaning it can now sell its animal-free whey protein to Israeli manufacturers for consumer use.
The regulatory approval validates the safety of Imagindairy’s beta-lactoglobulin protein. It follows the firm's approval in the US, where it received self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status last year.
Imagindairy’s products are identical to cow’s milk proteins in taste and nutritional value and can be used to produce a variety of animal-free dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream. Products made with the firm's protein are free of cholesterol, lactose and hormones, and have a much lower environmental impact than conventional dairy proteins.
This approval makes Imagindairy the second precision fermentation company to be allowed to sell its protein in Israel, after Remilk gained regulatory clearance in April this year.
Imagindairy CEO Eyal Afergan said: "The Ministry of Health's approval to market our products in Israel is a significant milestone for the company, demonstrating the safety of our quality milk proteins. We are excited to bring our products to the Israeli market and provide consumers with a quality, healthy dairy experience, without reliance on animals. This approval unlocks additional marketing opportunities and allows us to continue developing sustainable food solutions.”
Jonathan Berger, CEO of The Kitchen Foodtech Hub, commented: "The approval from the Ministry of Health represents a pivotal achievement for Imagindairy and the entire Israeli foodtech industry. This is another step that brings breakthrough technology to the consumer shelf. We have been backing Imagindairy from day one and we’re extremely proud to see the team achieve outstanding accomplishments time after time."
Shmuel Chafets, founding partner at Target Global, added: "Receiving regulatory approval in Israel provides further proof of Imagindairy's capabilities and its immense market potential. We are thrilled to be part of the company's revolutionary journey to produce milk proteins in a sustainable way."
It's been a busy year for Imagindairy. In January, it acquired a new facility, located in the Middle East, and begun operating its own industrial-scale precision fermentation production lines. That same month, the FDA greenlit Imagindairy’s animal-free dairy proteins for US market, and, in March, it partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate the production of its proteins.
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