USA – The Better Meat Co., based in California, has secured a US$1.4 million grant from the US Defense Department to scale up production of its Rhiza mycoprotein.
This funding is intended to enhance the company’s ability to produce this alternative protein in larger quantities.
Rhiza, which Better Meat markets as a sustainable protein ingredient for food manufacturers, differs from similar products on the market by using a distinct fungal strain.
The grant will be utilized to develop a variant of Rhiza that is free from common allergens.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has previously reported that some mycoprotein ingredients, such as Fusarium venenatum used by Quorn, have been associated with adverse reactions including throat swelling, hives, and swelling around the eyes and mouth.
The study indicated that these reactions occur in about one in 140,000 individuals. Additionally, such fungal ingredients have been linked to gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In contrast, Better Meat’s Rhiza is derived from Neurospora crassa, a different fungal species.
The company’s founder, Shapiro, noted that the grant will be instrumental in advancing their technology and making Rhiza mycoprotein widely available in the near future.
Consumer acceptance has been a challenge for mycoprotein products, partly due to a lack of familiarity with the ingredient.
This grant represents the first government funding awarded for an alternative protein initiative.
According to Precedence Research, the global mycoprotein market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.93% from 2024 to 2033, driven by increasing consumer interest in sustainable protein sources.
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