TurtleTree, a company specialising in sustainable nutrition, and Vegan Action, the most recognised vegan certification provider in the US, today announced the official vegan certification of TurtleTree’s animal-free sustainable lactoferrin, LF+.
This milestone establishes TurtleTree as the first precision fermentation dairy company globally to obtain vegan certification, and the first ever to receive the Certified Vegan logo in the 24 years it’s been administered.
In taking this step, TurtleTree is endeavouring to meet the evolving demands of conscious consumers.
While most precision fermentation products don’t involve animal products or byproducts, their bioidentical nature and the origins of the genetic codes required in production can make interpretations complex, particularly when adhering to vegan standards originally designed for plant-based products.
Regulatory approval also demands extensive safety testing, and some companies may opt for quicker, cheaper animal studies, and preclude their products from obtaining vegan certification.
This is a hot-button issue and potentially the reason most precision fermentation companies haven’t pursued official certification, despite stating they are vegan and animal-free.
The company aims to set a precedent that can help create a standardised definition of veganism in the context of precision fermentation.
LF+ is now the only vegan lactoferrin on the market, challenging the dominance of lactoferrin sourced exclusively from cows.
As the global vegan food market is projected to reach $36 billion by 2031, the demand for certified vegan products continues to surge. With this certification, LF+ is well-positioned to cater to this growing market and support large food and beverage companies seeking innovative, vegan-certified ingredients.
Fengru Lin, CEO and Co-Founder of TurtleTree, emphasises TurtleTree's dedication to aligning words with actions: "With this certification, we have put words into action. We want to build a food system that is sustainable and enables animals to live happier and healthier lives. As conscious consumers increasingly prioritise ethical choices, we aim to provide food and beverage brands with the unwavering confidence that our products align seamlessly with those evolving values.”
