The firm’s proprietary ingredient Tastilux is made via precision fermentation of fungal strains that contain long-chain omega-6 phospholids – the same fat that gives meats their distinctive flavour and mouthfeel.
Tastilux recently gained FEMA GRAS status – indicating that it is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), an independent industry body where an expert panel of scientists and toxicologists evaluates the safety of flavour ingredients.
For founder and CEO of Nourish Ingredients James Petrie, this affirms that Tastilux is a safe, effective ingredient that addresses taste and texture gaps for alternative proteins.
“The FEMA GRAS status signifies that our proprietary Mortierella alpina biomass (S11), the hero behind our product Tastilux, has undergone rigorous scientific assessments and been deemed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a flavouring in food,” said Petrie.
This regulatory clearance allows the firm to now sell Tastilux directly to US food manufacturers and brands.
It is a significant step for the firm, which observed that the alternative protein market has long struggled with mainstream adoption due to challenges around cost, taste, ingredient transparency (labelling), and delivering an authentic meat-like experience.
“Beyond regulatory validation, this milestone positions us to directly address the biggest barriers holding back mainstream plant-based adoption: taste, labelling, and an authentic experience,” said Petrie.
“This is an incredible step in our growth, moving us towards full-scale commercialisation, enabling us to deliver a true-to-meat experience that has been missing.”
A “true-to-meat” experience
The firm’s focus is on the plant-based and hybrid protein markets.
“These areas are where the taste authenticity gap is biggest and where Tastilux delivers maximum impact. These sectors have struggled with consumer acceptance due to taste limitations, making our breakthrough particularly valuable,” said Petrie.
Tastilux can also be a solution for other food formats, not just alternative proteins.
“The opportunity extends far beyond traditional alt-proteins. Tastiliux is also expected to enter other multi-million-dollar food product categories, including snacks, ready-made meals, and tallow replacements. Our B2B approach, together with the approval, will enable consumer-facing products to reach shelves in the near future,” said Petrie.
The firm also aims to provide authentic flavours at competitive prices.
A little goes a long way
Petrie explained that Tastilux is designed to deliver authentic meat flavour at low inclusion rates – it can be used in small amounts to achieve desired results, making it cost-efficient for manufacturers.
“Tastilux is very different from a plant-based fat or flavouring, which does not provide this animalic experience, without adding numerous other additives for this flavour,” added Petrie.
When cooked, Tastilux facilitates the natural Maillard reaction, creating the meaty flavour, aroma, and taste expected from traditional meats like chicken, beef, or pork.
“Our high potency, single ingredient makes it highly cost-effective for manufacturers. This efficiency translates directly to competitive pricing with traditional flavour systems,” said Petrie.
He added that this US approval will start a positive ripple effect internationally, significantly helping to advance regulatory pathways in other key markets and opening doors to additional international commercial opportunities.
The firm is targeting mainstream consumers who are not currently taking alternative proteins.
“We already have partnership agreements in motion across the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, positioning Tastilux for a global commercial rollout. We have also completed a path-to-market assessment for Singapore and are working towards the necessary regulatory steps to apply with the Singapore Food Agency,” said Petrie.
He declined to provide specific entry timelines for competitive reasons, but said this achievement sets a strong precedent that helps accelerate approval processes in other markets.
