Calysta, a global biotechnology company and the world leader in large-scale production of cultured protein, has announced the publication of new peer-reviewed research validating the safety, digestibility, and potential gut health benefits of its FeedKind® Pet protein. This breakthrough study represents a significant milestone in Calysta’s efforts to revolutionize the pet food industry with sustainable, high-quality, and functional alternative protein ingredients.
The study, now published in the journal Animals, is the most comprehensive and long-term investigation ever conducted on FeedKind Pet. It was designed under the rigorous guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) and marks an essential step in Calysta’s application for Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status in the United States.
Extensive Safety Trial Yields Strong Results
Conducted over an eight-month period, the trial involved 32 healthy adult beagles that were fed diets containing up to 8% FeedKind Pet protein for six consecutive months. This was followed by a two-month phase in which the dogs returned to a standard control diet. The results were unequivocal: FeedKind Pet is not only safe for adult dogs but is also well-tolerated and highly digestible.
Dogs maintained healthy weights and body condition scores throughout the study, regardless of the level of FeedKind Pet protein included in their diet. Importantly, feed intake remained consistent, indicating that the dogs found the diets palatable. In terms of nutrient absorption, protein and energy digestibility rates exceeded 80%, while fat digestibility surpassed 90%, demonstrating the efficiency with which the animals could extract nutrients from the feed.
Drilling down into the data, the study also examined the dogs’ fecal microbiome and found a statistically significant increase in alpha diversity — a key indicator of gut microbial health. The presence of a more diverse microbial community in the gut is widely regarded as a foundational marker of improved gastrointestinal and immune health, which opens the door to potential long-term benefits of FeedKind Pet protein beyond basic nutrition.
Key Highlights from the Research
The published study produced several compelling findings:
- Long-Term Safety Confirmed: All dogs maintained good overall health, with stable weight and ideal body condition scores across the study duration.
- Exceptional Digestibility: Protein and energy digestibility consistently exceeded 80%, while fat digestibility topped 90%, underscoring FeedKind Pet’s efficiency as a nutrient source.
- No Negative Impact on Appetite: The test diets containing FeedKind Pet protein were readily accepted by the dogs, with no signs of reduced palatability or feed refusal.
- Positive Gut Health Indicators: Inclusion of FeedKind Pet in the diet led to increased alpha diversity in the gut microbiome, a promising sign of enhanced digestive and immune health.
Industry Impact and Executive Commentary
Alan Shaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Calysta, emphasized the significance of the research in building trust and credibility around FeedKind Pet:
“This new peer-reviewed research is the most robust and longest study we’ve ever done on FeedKind Pet protein, adding to years of evidence showing it is a safe, high-quality protein source for animals. A science and safety focus has been key to our journey from pilot production to the thousands of tonnes shipped this year.”
He further noted that the study underpins FeedKind Pet’s potential to disrupt conventional protein sourcing in the pet food industry by offering a reliable, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable alternative.
Herman Sloot, Calysta’s Vice President of Global Sales, highlighted the commercial momentum already building in Europe and the broader implications of the study’s results:
“Customers in Europe are already using FeedKind Pet protein to strengthen supply chains and deliver high-quality nutrition for pets. This latest long-term study sets us up to meet the requirements for US GRAS status and gives our customers the confidence to plan for global availability — knowing they have a secure, well-tolerated protein source that works for pets and owners everywhere.”
Sustainable by Design
One of FeedKind Pet’s most compelling attributes is its sustainability. Produced via a natural fermentation process using methane as its primary feedstock, FeedKind Pet is made without the use of arable land and requires minimal freshwater resources. This gives it a unique advantage over traditional animal- or plant-based proteins, which typically demand significant land, water, and agricultural inputs.
Unlike animal protein sources that can fluctuate due to supply chain volatility or plant-based proteins that compete with food crops for land and water, FeedKind Pet offers a stable and scalable protein solution. It can be produced year-round, regardless of weather or climate conditions, and without displacing essential agricultural resources needed for human food production.
FeedKind Pet is derived from the same proven microbial platform used in Calysta’s FeedKind Aqua, which has been successfully adopted in aquaculture to reduce reliance on fishmeal. With that foundation in place, Calysta is now fully equipped to scale FeedKind Pet production in response to growing global demand for alternative proteins in the pet sector.
