FDA Approves Bond Pet Foods' Lamb Protein Yeast for Pet Food Production

Bond Pet Foods has received a Letter of No Objection from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Lamb Protein Yeast ingredient, developed in collaboration with Hill's Pet Nutrition. This marks a significant step towards the commercialization of an innovative animal protein sourced through precision fermentation.

The FDA's review confirmed the ingredient's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status after a six-month feeding study with dogs, allowing it to be included at levels of up to 15% in pet food formulations. This is the first ingredient resulting from the partnership to complete the FDA's GRAS review, which is expected to offer a high-quality source of protein for pet food that has a nutritional profile similar to traditional lamb protein.

Rich Kelleman, Founder and CEO of Bond Pet Foods, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this regulatory milestone, highlighting the study's findings and the FDA's endorsement as pivotal in advancing toward the provision of a reliable protein source for pets. Additionally, the companies have conducted a similar feeding study with cats and are preparing to submit further data to the FDA for feline applications.

Dave Baloga, Executive Vice President of Science and Technology at Hill's, affirmed that this achievement reflects their dedication to science-led innovation in pet nutrition, expanding nutritionally beneficial options while addressing sustainability goals.

The collaboration between Hill's and Bond began in 2021, focusing on developing alternatives to traditional animal proteins. Key progress includes the large-scale production of Lamb Protein Yeast, with over 25 metric tons delivered to Hill's for further evaluation.

Bond's precision fermentation utilizes optimized yeast cultures to create proteins comparable to those from conventional animal sources, ensuring a sustainable and consistent supply for pet food manufacturers. As they move into commercialization, both companies are poised to implement their developments in the U.S. market.

Founded more than 75 years ago, Hill's Pet Nutrition is dedicated to offering scientifically-backed nutrition for pets, while Bond Pet Foods is focused on producing environmentally responsible protein ingredients using advanced fermentation processes.