China has officially approved its first mycoprotein-based food ingredient, a significant move to diversify protein sources and boost food security. The National Health Commission established clear regulations on how this fungal protein should be produced, labeled, and used.
This decision reflects China’s strategy to reduce reliance on traditional animal proteins and strengthen resilience amid increasing resource pressures. The approved ingredient is derived from Fusarium venenatum, a fungus already used in alternative proteins globally.
Fushine Bio, the company behind the product, operates Asia-Pacific’s largest mycoprotein plant and markets its product under the brand FuNext. The fungus’s mycelium is cultivated via biomass fermentation using glucose and water, a process far more efficient than traditional agriculture. The strains A3/5 and TB01 double their biomass every five hours, achieving productivity levels thousands of times higher than animal protein.
Nutritionally, mycoprotein offers a complete amino acid profile, high fiber, essential micronutrients, and no cholesterol. It’s low in fat and versatile, with no need for pastures, feed, or antibiotics.
FuNext is available in three forms: a fibrous wet version for meat products, a dry powder for functional foods, and a “whole cut” resembling animal muscle. These options enable integration into a wide range of food products.
China’s clear regulations provide certainty for industry investment and growth. Mycoprotein’s environmental benefits include minimal land and water use, lower greenhouse emissions, and reduced pressure on ecosystems.
Fushine Bio aims to expand its output from 1,200 to 200,000 tons annually, exploring applications beyond food, such as pet nutrition and space missions. While not a complete solution, mycoprotein contributes to diversifying diets and red
The post China approves its first mycoprotein ingredient appeared first on World Bio Market Insights.
