The Protein Digest

Beyond Meat earns first climate solution designation for plant protein products. Beyond Meat's Beyond Burger IV and Beyond Steak are the first plant protein products to earn climate solution status under the ERI framework. via investors.beyondmeat.com

Beyond Meat shares slide after weak Q1 outlook and CEO's cultural critique. Beyond Meat guided Q1 revenue well below expectations as CEO Ethan Brown blamed societal trends and pseudoscience for the company's struggles. via sherwood.news

American Heart Association advises plant proteins over meat. AHA recommends plant proteins over meat, opposing RFK Jr.'s dietary guidelines. via scientificamerican.com

Ambienta secures majority stake in The Bridge plant-based group. Ambienta acquires a majority stake in The Bridge, an Italian plant-based dairy group, to expand its global reach. via finance.yahoo.com

Cambridge researcher frames UK protein supply as national security risk. A Cambridge analysis argues the UK's protein import dependence is a national security weak point, urging a shift to domestic emerging protein production. via eurekalert.org

Gac seed protein concentrate shows promise for functional foods. Gac seed protein concentrate offers a sustainable solution for functional foods with high purity and antioxidant properties. via nature.com

UK researchers develop flavourless pea to rival soya in protein markets. UK scientists created a flavourless pea that could replace imported soya as a protein base for meat substitutes and processed foods. via observer.co.uk

All G secures FDA clearance for microbial fermentation lactoferrin. All G receives FDA "no questions" letter for its microbial fermentation-derived lactoferrin, enabling U.S. commercialization of the functional protein ingredient. via investegate.co.uk

Standing Ovation raises $34.2 million to commercialize microbial casein. French microbial fermentation firm Standing Ovation raised $34.2M in Series B funding to scale casein production and begin U.S. commercialization. via streetinsider.com

JBS invests $37m in cell-cultured protein R&D center in Brazil. JBS opens a $37m biotech R&D hub in Florianópolis to develop cell-cultured protein supplements for food applications. via valorinternational.globo.com

Mississippi becomes first U.S. state to ban cell-cultured dairy. Mississippi signed HB 1153 into law, becoming the first U.S. state to ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of cell-cultured dairy products. via agri-pulse.com

Wisconsin governor vetoes cell-cultured meat labeling bill. Wisconsin's governor vetoed a bill requiring "lab-grown meat" labels on cell-cultured protein, calling the legislation vague and arbitrarily drafted. via brownfieldagnews.com

Seaweed and yeast proteins target cleaner labels in beverages and snacks. Marine Biologics and Angel Yeast debuted clean-label protein ingredients—seaweed stabilizer and yeast protein—at Future Food-Tech San Francisco. via foodnavigator-usa.com

UK moves to ease planning rules for intensive poultry farms after industry pressure. UK ministers propose planning reforms easing approval of intensive poultry farms after sustained industry lobbying, drawing criticism over environmental risks. via theguardian.com

Michigan subsidizes livestock digesters that worsen pollution, critics say. Public funds for livestock digesters in Michigan may incentivize herd growth and worsen air and water pollution, a local farmer argues. via bridgemi.com

Washington court upholds state ban on marine net pen aquaculture. A Washington State court upheld the state's ban on commercial net pen aquaculture after industry challengers dismissed their own lawsuit. via global-agriculture.com

Federal court finds agencies violated Endangered Species Act over livestock grazing in Arizona monument. A federal court ruled U.S. agencies violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to stop illegal cattle grazing damage in Arizona's Agua Fria National Monument. via biologicaldiversity.org

Hong Kong halts poultry imports from Italy and US amid avian flu concerns. Hong Kong suspends poultry imports from Italy and US due to avian flu. via info.gov.hk

JBS workers strike over labor practices and safety concerns. JBS workers in Colorado strike over unfair labor practices and safety concerns. via forbes.com

Greece confirms first foot-and-mouth outbreak in 25 years on Lesvos. Greece confirmed FMD on Lesvos island, its first case in 25 years, prompting a full island lockdown and UK dairy import restrictions. via thefencepost.com

Devon farmer fined after slurry spills kill hundreds of fish. A Devon farmer was fined £4,778 after slurry spills from his farm killed over 300 fish in two separate incidents spanning 2023 and 2024. via southwestfarmer.co.uk