ESPOO, FINLAND — Finnish biotech company Enfier announced Oct. 31 that it has filed for Novel Food authorization from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for its mycoprotein ingredient PEKILO®. According to the company, this marks a major milestone in its mission to bring an innovative and eco-friendly protein to the European food market, including pet food. 

Earlier this year, Enifer secured funding for its first €33 million ($35.8 million USD) production facility, which is set to be completed by the end of 2025. The facility will upcycle food industry side streams to produce up to 3,000 tons of sustainable fungi-based protein annually at full capacity.

PEKILO mycoprotein is a nutrient-rich ingredient produced through a specialized fermentation process involving a unique strain of fungus, similar to the methods used in brewing or producing soy sauce. This process yields a neutral-tasting, neutral-colored mycoprotein powder rich in protein and fiber, making it a good option for a wide range of food products such as alternative meats, baked goods, pet food and more, according to Enifer.

Originally developed in Finland in the 1970s, the PEKILO fermentation process was designed to upcycle byproducts from the forest industry into animal feed ingredients. According to Enifer, PEKILO has been successfully used in feed for over 15 years, proving to be an excellent source of protein for livestock, particularly pigs and poultry. In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, it was also studied and shown to have potential for human consumption. 

However, in the 1990s, Enifer’s journey was cut short by technical advancements in the forest industry, which meant suitable side streams were no longer available. Now, the company has revived and refined its pioneering technology, adapting it to utilize new raw material streams from the food and agricultural sectors while advancing the development of PEKILO as a food ingredient for human and animal consumption.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue the work that visionary scientists began in the 1980s and to take this vital step towards bringing PEKILO to the market as a food ingredient,” said Elisa Arte, ingredient development manager for Enifer. “Our team has worked hard to compile the data needed to demonstrate PEKILO’s safety for human consumption, and we’re looking forward to starting the approval process with EFSA.” 

In Europe, any food that has not been consumed to a significant degree before May 1997 is considered a Novel Food, according to the company. As a result, PEKILO is considered a novel ingredient with a distinct production process, requiring evaluation and approval under the EU’s Novel Food regulations.

With the application submitted, a thorough risk assessment process will begin, which could take several years, according to Enifer. Meanwhile, the company also shared that it plans to pursue GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the US and seek novel food approval in Singapore. 

In preparation for the launch of the mycoprotein, the company is actively collaborating with global partners, including Skretting, the aquafeed division of Nutreco; Purina, for pet food products; and Valio, for consumer food products.

Arte added, “With the application now submitted, we’re excited to shift our focus on developing innovative products with our partners. PEKILO has already shown remarkable versatility, and the possibilities are limited only by imagination.”

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