In the US, Finnish food ingredient company Onego Bio has officially submitted its Generally Recognized as Safe notification to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Bioalbumen, a non-animal ovalbumin produced through precision fermentation using Trichoderma reesei. The move sets the stage for introduction of the first non-animal egg protein that mirrors the amino acid sequence of natural ovalbumin into the global food market.
Ovalbumin, the primary protein in egg white, possesses “exceptional” nutritional, functional, and performance properties. Bioalbumen provides a sustainable, animal-free alternative that is a drop-in solution for various applications, including baked goods, confectionery, pasta, and ready-made meals.
“Our GRAS filing marks a significant milestone for Onego Bio, reinforcing our commitment to building a more resilient supply chain and sustainable food system,” Maija Itkonen, CEO of Onego Bio, said in a press statement. “By supplementing traditional agricultural inputs, we can help alleviate future supply chain risks and price fluctuations while benefiting human health and safety and the environment.”