FeedKind® Pet Protein Proven Safe, Digestible, and Gut-Friendly in Long-Term Study
Calysta’s cultured protein shows strong results in peer-reviewed research, paving the way for sustainable innovation in pet food
the global leader in large-scale cultured protein production, has announced peer-reviewed findings confirming the safety, digestibility, and potential gut health benefits of FeedKind® Pet protein for dogs. Published in the journal Animals, the study represents a major milestone in validating novel protein alternatives for the pet food industry.
The results support FeedKind Pet’s continued global rollout and bolster Calysta’s plans to pursue GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notification with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enabling broader use in American pet food formulations.
Study Overview: Rigorous Long-Term Safety Testing
The study was conducted under FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) guidelines and involved a comprehensive eight-month feeding trial with 32 healthy adult beagles. Dogs were divided into groups and fed diets containing varying inclusion levels of FeedKind Pet protein (up to 8%) for six months, followed by a return to a control diet for two additional months.
Designed to simulate long-term feeding in real-world conditions, the trial examined overall health, weight management, body condition scores, feed intake, digestibility, and microbiome impact.
Key Findings:
- Long-Term Safety: Dogs maintained normal health, weight, and body condition throughout the study period.
- High Digestibility: Protein and energy digestibility exceeded 80%, and fat digestibility surpassed 90%.
- Feed Acceptance: No adverse impact on feed intake was observed; dogs readily consumed FeedKind-inclusive diets.
- Gut Health Indicators: Notable increases in alpha diversity in the fecal microbiome suggested early signs of gut health support.
A New Class of Sustainable Pet Nutrition
FeedKind Pet is a cultured protein produced via natural fermentation, using a proprietary microbial process that converts methane into protein-rich biomass. Unlike traditional protein sources, it requires no arable land and uses minimal water, offering an environmentally responsible alternative that doesn’t compete with human food supply chains.
The findings validate FeedKind Pet as a high-quality, well-tolerated ingredient that meets the functional and nutritional demands of modern pet food—while addressing key challenges in sustainability and supply chain stability.
“This new peer-reviewed research is the most robust and longest study we’ve ever done on FeedKind Pet protein,” said Alan Shaw, CEO and Co-Founder of Calysta. “It adds to years of evidence confirming that FeedKind is not only a safe and effective protein source for animals, but also a transformational solution for the pet food industry.”
Innovation Backed by Science and Safety
The newly published study adds to Calysta’s growing library of scientific validation for FeedKind, including its successful application in aquaculture through FeedKind Aqua, which has been used at scale across global fish farming operations.
“Science and safety have been at the heart of our journey from pilot production to the thousands of tonnes shipped this year,” Shaw added. “FeedKind Pet offers real innovation, allowing pet food manufacturers to access a novel ingredient that is backed by data, proven in performance, and ready to scale.”
Meeting Industry Needs: Performance, Availability, and Trust
With global pet food markets increasingly seeking alternative, sustainable protein sources, FeedKind Pet arrives at a crucial time. Its consistent nutritional profile, lack of allergens, and non-animal origin make it suitable for a wide range of formulations, including hypoallergenic and alternative diet formats.
Herman Sloot, VP of Global Sales at Calysta, emphasized the growing demand from manufacturers:
“Customers in Europe are already using FeedKind Pet protein to strengthen their supply chains and deliver high-quality, consistent nutrition. This long-term study sets the foundation for GRAS approval in the U.S. and gives customers the confidence to plan globally—knowing they have a secure, scalable, and well-tolerated protein source.”
Ready to Meet Global Demand
Building on its success in aquafeed and early adoption in European pet markets, Calysta is prepared to scale FeedKind Pet production globally, meeting rising demand for sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients.
Key advantages of FeedKind Pet include:
- Stable and consistent supply chain
- Independence from traditional agricultural constraints
- Low environmental footprint
- Strong digestibility and nutritional performance
- Backed by regulatory safety standards and peer-reviewed data
A New Era in Cultured Protein for Pets
As pet owners demand more sustainable, health-focused, and science-backed ingredients, FeedKind Pet offers a compelling solution. The confirmation of its long-term safety, digestibility, and early microbiome benefits opens the door for broader use in premium and specialty pet food formulations.
With its GRAS notification in progress and manufacturing capacity in place, Calysta is well-positioned to deliver on its vision of transforming how the world produces protein—starting with the pets we care for most.
About Calysta
Calysta, Inc., San Mateo, CA, is a large-scale protein producer and innovator working towards a future where the world’s growing population has guaranteed food security. Calysta makes protein without limits by fermenting low-cost carbon to create new feed and food products. Calysta’s sustainable protein ingredients add to the global food supply.
FeedKind® protein is made using very little water and no agricultural land by fermenting carbon to create a safe, nutritious, and traceable protein. Cultured via natural fermentation, it is non-GMO, has a complete amino acid profile, is highly digestible, and helps promote a healthy gut.
