Bon Vivant Achieves GRAS Status
Bon Vivant, an innovator in food technology and precision fermentation, has celebrated a key milestone by attaining self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its recombinant Beta-Lactoglobulin (BLG) whey protein. This significant achievement enables the company to formally notify the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), paving the way for entry into the competitive US market.
Commercial Potential and Sector Partnerships
Stéphane Mac Millan, co-founder and CEO of Bon Vivant, emphasized the commercial potential of this milestone. The company has already formed three partnership agreements across various sectors, including the US, with plans to pursue more in 2025. He highlighted that this GRAS designation opens up exciting opportunities for the dairy industry in the United States to incorporate proteins that boost sustainability without compromising traditional flavors.
Sustainability Benefits and Future Goals
The GRAS status specifically pertains to Bon Vivant’s recombinant BLG, which is crafted to serve as a functional whey protein ideal for hybrid and plant-based dairy alternatives. Bon Vivant takes pride in being at the forefront of this innovation, offering two unique forms of BLG that ensure specialized functionality while maintaining the nutritional benefits found in conventional dairy proteins.
Bon Vivant’s advanced precision fermentation techniques offer compelling environmental benefits compared to traditional dairy farming. A peer-reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted by the company revealed astonishing results: a 72% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, an 81% cut in water consumption, and a staggering 99% decrease in the need for arable land. This dedication to sustainability underscores Bon Vivant’s aim to address the challenges posed by population growth and dwindling resources.
With GRAS status secured, Bon Vivant joins an expanding network of precision fermentation firms in the US that have achieved this vital regulatory benchmark for BLG. This progression allows the company to advance its commercialization efforts while it awaits a “No Questions Letter” from the FDA, which is expected by the close of 2025. As regulatory processes unfold, Bon Vivant stands ready to guide the dairy sector toward implementing sustainable practices across its supply chain. Mac Millan noted that informing the FDA of their GRAS status strengthens Bon Vivant’s ties with US regulatory authorities and positions the company to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance dairy proteins.
Source: Vegconomist