Imagindairy, an Israeli food-tech company, has received approval to market its products throughout the country. The company produces sustainable, animal-free dairy proteins that are identical in taste, texture, and nutritional value to cow milk proteins. The decision in Israel follows the Food and Drug Administration’s approval in the US about one year ago. Dr.
Eyal Afergan, the CEO of Imagindairy, said the approval demonstrates the safety of their quality milk proteins, which are free from cholesterol, lactose, or hormones. The proteins can be used to produce dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
Imagindairy enters Israeli dairy market
Afergan said, “We are excited to bring our products to the Israeli market and provide consumers with a quality, healthy dairy experience without reliance on animals. This approval unlocks additional marketing opportunities and allows us to continue developing sustainable solutions for future food, a topic that is becoming increasingly prominent in the public agenda, given Israel’s need for food security to ensure a continuous and independent food supply for its residents.”
Imagindairy uses an artificial intelligence technique called “precision fermentation,” which involves creating single-celled organisms designed for extracting individual compounds. These compounds act as a real substitute for whey and casein proteins found in cow’s milk.
Jonathan Berger, the CEO of The Kitchen Foodtech Hub—an incubator and investor for Israeli startups—said they have been backing Imagindairy since day one, and the approval represents an achievement for the entire Israeli food-tech industry. Imagindairy was founded under The Kitchen Hub and has raised over $30 million from investors including food companies Danone and Strauss, and venture capital funds including Target Global, Entree Capital, MoreVC, and Emerald Technology Ventures.
