The Protein Digest

Tofu tops new scoring system ranking 20 protein-rich foods. The study found that plant foods filled the top quintile and animal foods filled the bottom. Cheddar cheese ranked last. (eurekalert.org)

EU plan targets 35% domestic share of feed protein by 2035. The European Commission's Protein Action Plan seeks to cut reliance on imported soybeans, as EU self-sufficiency stands near 18%. It pairs research funding with expected incentives for legumes and other protein crops under the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy. (seedworld.com)

Bacterial fermentation cuts off-flavors in faba bean protein, study finds. University of Copenhagen researchers found that selected bacteria reduced beany notes in the beans' protein extracts while producing nutty and umami-like aromas. (phys.org)

Leaft Foods' Rubisco drink named to Time's 2026 inventions list. The New Zealand company says demand for its lucerne-derived smoothie now exceeds supply, as Lacto Japan invests to expand Rubisco production and sales. (b2bnews.co.nz)

Better Dairy secures self-affirmed GRAS status for lactopontin ingredient. The determination clears a path for the microbial fermentation-derived milk protein to enter US nutrition and supplement products, with customer launches expected in the coming months. (Protein Report)

Pythag Tech raises $4.25 million to apply AI to cultured meat production. The seed round, led by Azolla Ventures, will expand the company's biological dataset and machine learning platform, which it licenses to food companies to cut cell-culture production costs. (globenewswire.com)

Gyeongsang National University team creates marbled whole-cut hybrid cultured meat. The researchers combined cultured cells with plant proteins and reusable scaffolds, projecting a price of about 40,000 won per kilogram, roughly half that of top-grade Korean beef sirloin. (en.sedaily.com)

North Carolina offers $2.13M to help tech startups win federal awards. Most of the money will fund matching grants for companies that already hold federal Phase I research awards, helping them pursue larger Phase II funding. (nsjonline.com)

HenArt debuts baked dog food made with Enifer's PEKILO mycoprotein. LEVENDO, a semi-moist complete food for adult and senior dogs sold in the EU and UK, marks the Finnish ingredient's first international consumer launch. (Protein Report)

Brevel and Wave Group form joint venture for 300,000-liter algae plant in India. The Wave Group will fund the $10–15 million facility, which will use Brevel's illuminated fermentation technology and side streams from Wave's sugar mills to produce chlorella, starting within 18 months. (asiafoodjournal.com)

Indonesia taps JBS and foreign capital to expand meat and dairy supply. Under a $2.5 billion deal, Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund will take up to 30% of JBS's regional assets as the country seeks to diversify food production and address childhood malnutrition. (theagribiz.com)

France reports first known human Shamonda virus infection. The severely immunocompromised patient, who died in early October, is thought to have been infected by a midge bite. French officials say there is no current risk to the public. (bbc.co.uk)

Screwworm detected in Texas game ranch elk, a first for U.S. wildlife. The detection in Pecos County has prompted expanded surveillance by the USDA and Texas wildlife officials, who are urging hunters to report signs of infestation. (cbsnews.com)

Hong Kong halts poultry imports from Northumberland after H5N1 outbreak. The Centre for Food Safety suspended imports of poultry meat and eggs from the area with immediate effect after the World Organisation for Animal Health reported highly pathogenic avian influenza there. (info.gov.hk)

Tanzania's $110 million Kilwa Masoko fishing port clears final inspection. Built to handle far larger vessels than local boats, the harbor is designed to land 60,000 metric tons of fish a year, and some of the catch could be exported to China. (scmp.com)

Kayem Foods recalls ready-to-eat meats over cooler temperature lapse. More than 1.5 million pounds of meat and poultry sold in the U.S. and Hong Kong under Kayem, Al Fresco, and McKenzie brands were pulled after improper warehouse storage was discovered. (livenowfox.com)

Archives show cattle trade group met climate science with public relations. A study of the National Cattlemen's Association's internal records finds it learned of cattle's methane role in 1989 and responded with messaging campaigns rather than emissions cuts. (earth.com)

Washington resident exposed to infected dairy cattle contracts avian influenza. Yakima County health officials say the general public's risk remains low and are supplying testing and protective equipment to affected dairies. (outbreaknewstoday.substack.com)

Bluetongue and West Nile fever reports surge, WOAH data show. Analysis of global surveillance data points to climate change and animal movements as forces pushing midge- and mosquito-borne diseases into new regions, prompting calls for stronger monitoring and earlier detection. (myvetcandy.com)

Family Farmstead Dairy recalls raw milk cheddar over E. coli concerns. The recalled lot was sold in seven states after Maryland testing found toxin-producing E. coli strains, though no illnesses had been reported. (nypost.com)

Central Sands Dairy settles Wisconsin groundwater pollution case for $245,000. The former Juneau County dairy CAFO, accused of manure-related ammonia contamination, must also abandon its waste storage facilities by July 1 next year. (wpr.org)

EPA moves to exempt offshore seafood-processing vessels from discharge permits. The proposal would cut about $1.8 million in annual compliance costs for 79 permittees but could reduce pollution monitoring and public information. (ehsleaders.org)

New index rates 32 of 43 economies exposed to protein supply disruption. Full Circle Biotech's Protein Sovereignty Index rated only Canada as Sovereign and found that heavy reliance on imported feed leaves many producers vulnerable, including major aquaculture nations. (thefishsite.com)

Shimadzu invests in Kinish to back casein-producing rice development. The Tokyo startup has expressed milk casein in dwarf rice at the research stage and aims to use it to make ice cream, cheese, and yogurt. (marketscreener.com)