FDA warns molecular farming units about the risk of allergens

[Bobby Krishna]

US regulators have warned startups in the emerging field of ‘molecular farming’ that expressing animal proteins such as egg and dairy proteins in genetically engineered crops such as soybeans will require strict allergen management.

Animal proteins used to be made exclusively by animals. However, startups are now producing egg, dairy and meat proteins in microbes (precision fermentation), plants (molecular farming), and cultured animal cells (cultivated meat/dairy), production vehicles they claim are greener, kinder, and more efficient.

Each approach has its pros and cons, with molecular farming startups arguing that using major food crops such as corn and soy is the most cost-effective strategy. But it also presents allergen concerns.

https://www.fda.gov/media/167098/download?

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Regards

Bobby Krishna

@foodsafetydubai