The Protein Brewery calls for regulatory reforms to accelerate food innovation

On 6 November 2024, The Protein Brewery (TPB), headquartered in Breda, Netherlands, hosted a significant work visit with key policymakers and industry stakeholders. Among the attendees were Member of the European Parliament Anja Hazekamp, regional council members, officials from Breda Municipality and the Province of Brabant, as well as representatives from HollandBio, the Good Food Institute (GFI), and EuroGroup for Animals. The event underscored the urgent need for streamlined regulatory processes to foster innovation in sustainable food production and accelerate market access for novel foods.

The visit included a tour of TPB’s production plant, showcasing its innovative fermentation technologies, which are central to developing highly nutritious mycoprotein ingredients like Fermotein. These technologies aim to address global challenges in food security and sustainability by providing alternative sources of protein that are efficient to produce and environmentally friendly. However, the discussions highlighted a pressing issue: the regulatory hurdles that companies like TPB face in bringing their products to market.

“An efficient regulatory environment for novel food ingredients is key to building an even more sustainable food system and supporting the EU’s leadership on the path of a green transition through the European Green Deal,” commented Sue Garfitt, CEO of The Protein Brewery. She emphasized that the current regulatory framework in the European Union is often fragmented, unpredictable, and costly, leading to excessive delays. “Clear and streamlined regulations will help speed up progress towards these important goals.”

As global demand for sustainable food solutions grows, TPB and other pioneering companies are urging policymakers to reform regulatory pathways. Current approval processes for novel foods in the EU can take years to navigate, impacting not only financial stability but also the competitive edge of companies operating in this sector. Harmonizing and simplifying these processes is seen as essential to creating a resilient and competitive food system.

While progress in regions like Singapore and the United States offers a glimpse of what streamlined regulations can achieve, the EU and the UK lag behind. TPB has already secured approval from the Singapore Food Safety Authority for Fermotein and achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US. Despite these milestones, delays in Europe present significant challenges. “While markets like Singapore and the United States offer significant opportunities for our company to meet current production demands, we face delays in key regions such as the European Union and the UK,” Garfitt noted.

During the event, officials acknowledged the professionalism and commitment to sustainability demonstrated by The Protein Brewery. They recognized that inconsistent regulations across regions are a barrier to innovation and fair competition. Policymakers agreed that addressing these regulatory gaps is critical for fostering a sustainable food system and strengthening the EU’s role in global food innovation.

“There is an urgent need to accelerate the approval processes for novel foods,” said one attendee. “Streamlined regulations not only support companies like The Protein Brewery but also enhance the EU’s competitiveness in the global market while promoting sustainable practices.”

The Protein Brewery’s flagship product, Fermotein, exemplifies the potential of novel food technologies. Created through precision fermentation, Fermotein is a highly nutritious and sustainable protein source that can be used in a variety of food applications. By utilizing fermentation instead of traditional agricultural methods, Fermotein significantly reduces the environmental footprint associated with protein production, requiring less land, water, and energy.

With the approval process for Fermotein underway in the EU, TPB is well-positioned to scale up its operations. However, the delays caused by the current regulatory environment hinder its ability to fully capitalize on its innovations. Officials at the event stressed that faster, harmonized regulatory processes would not only benefit companies like TPB but also contribute to the broader goal of creating a sustainable, competitive food system in Europe.

The discussions at the work visit culminated in a call to action for policymakers to champion reforms that emphasize efficiency, sustainability, and investment in novel food technologies. Simplifying the approval processes would lower barriers to entry, attract investment, and make sustainable foods more accessible to consumers. Such reforms align with the goals of the European Green Deal and the broader push for a green transition.

“Ensuring a level playing field in both conventional and innovative food markets is crucial to supporting a resilient, competitive innovative food sector within the EU and globally,” said Garfitt. She highlighted that clear regulations would enable companies to meet consumer demand for sustainable options while maintaining cost-efficiency and scalability.