ARTICLE 26 F&A Alternative Proteins Edition April 2023 It's important to understand the regulatory requirements in the EU and the US to ensure that alternative proteins are safe and comply with all laws and guidelines for use in animal feeds. Hiring a regulatory affairs consultant can be highly beneficial in navigating the complex regulatory landscape and can save your company time and resources. Alternative proteins in animal nutrition refer to non-traditional sources of protein that can be used to replace or supplement conventional protein sources like soybean meal, fishmeal, and meat and bone meal. In recent years, there has been growing interest in alternative proteins due to concerns around the sustainability and environmental impact of conventional protein sources, as well as the need to find new sources of protein to meet the increasing demand for animal protein in a growing global population. Alternative proteins have the potential to reduce the reliance on land-intensive and resource-intensive protein sources, while also offering new options for formulating animal diets that meet nutritional requirements and support animal health and performance. Below are some examples of alternative proteins used in animal feeds: • Insects: Insect meal, which is made from insects such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets, is a highly sustainable protein source that is being used in poultry, fish, and pig feed. • Algae: Algae meal is a protein-rich alternative to fish meal that is being used in fish and shrimp feed. • Single-cell protein: Single-cell protein (SCP), which is made from microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and fungi, is a highly digestible protein source that can be used in a range of animal feeds. • Pea protein: Pea protein is a plant-based protein that is being used in pet food and livestock feed as an alternative to soy and other plant-based proteins. • In vitro meat: In vitro meat, which is produced by culturing animal cells in a lab, is a highly sustainable protein source that could potentially be used in animal feed in the future.* *It must be stated that in vitro/cultured meat has not yet been approved for use in the EU or US, nor has any company upscaled to sufficiently supply in commercial quantities. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS IN THE EU AND THE U.S. In the European Union (EU), products used as protein sources in animal feeds generally qualify as feed materials, which are defined as “products of ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS IN ANIMAL FEEDS How regulatory affairs can assist in a better ROI for your product Dawn Botha Technical Marketing Manager Pen & Tec Consulting
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==