An Israel-based company that’s looking to revolutionize the dairy market says it’s the first producer of animal-identical protein to receive a “no objection letter” from Health Canada.
Remilk produces BLG (Beta-lactoglobulin) — the main whey protein in milk — without any cows, through a fermentation process that involves genetically-modified microbes. The company says it can produce milk, ice cream, yogurt, cream cheese, and more at scale with the same texture and taste as traditional dairy.
“This is an important day for us at Remilk, and a historic one for Canada as it opens its doors to the new-dairy revolution. We developed a strategic roadmap for regulatory approvals around the world, recognizing that CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies seek solutions that benefit consumers throughout North America. We prioritized Canada in our regulatory strategy, following the green light from the FDA,” said Aviv Wolff, Remilk’s co-founder and CEO, in a Feb. 5 news release.
Remilk markets the products made from its protein as being free of lactose, cholesterol, and growth hormones, while leaving a smaller environmental footprint.
“There’s a lot to love in dairy, which is why we set out to create a solution that will enable consumers to enjoy the taste of the dairy they love, without dairy’s environmental and health-related drawbacks. The recognition from Health Canada — which follows years of R&D and major investments by Remilk — led to this pivotal moment, enabling a substantial market entry,” continued Wolff, noting the company is now ready to partner with leading food companies in Canada.
The company, which was founded in 2019 and raised $120 million in a series B fundraising round in 2022, has received regulatory clearances from health authorities in Israel, the United States, and Singapore over the past year.
