Based on BioCraft’s animal-cell cultured ingredient, the mouse ‘mousse’ provides the basic nutrients essential for cat and dogs, but also offers additional functional benefits – including a hypoallergenic protein source and an omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio higher than traditional meat.
BioCraft claimed that its forthcoming product for cats is both functional and environmentally sustainable, as well as identical to their natural small prey diet.
BioCraft founder and CEO Dr. Shannon Falconer said: “Achieving a near 100% inclusion level of an animal cell-cultured ingredient for a final product is a game-changer for the pet food industry.
Overcoming low levels of inclusion
“Most cellular agriculture initiatives struggle to reach high inclusion levels of their ingredient in a final product; however, low inclusion levels don’t accomplish the objective of reducing our reliance on intensive animal agriculture. Prefera understands this, and with BioCraft’s cell-cultured ingredient has overcome this challenge.”
Third-party profiling of more than 100 nutrients found that BioCraft’s animal-cell cultured ingredients offered a similar nutritional profile as standard “meat slurry” currently used by pet food manufacturers, with comparable levels of key nutrients, such as taurine, lysine, methionine and tryptophan.
Early palatability tests have demonstrated ‘exceptional’ acceptance rates among cats, with taste trials showing strong preference for cell-cultured mouse mousse over conventional alternatives.
Nicola Magalini, general manager of Prefera Petfood, added: “Our partnership with BioCraft helps us innovate in ways that benefit both pets and the environment. This innovative collaboration marks a significant milestone in functional, sustainable and ancestrally-appropriate pet nutrition.”
‘Can’t tell the difference’
“Cats are notoriously selective eaters, so we’re thrilled with the enthusiastic reception. It’s clear that our feline friends can’t tell the difference – except perhaps that they prefer it.”
The companies will officially debut product samples May 5-7 in Bologna at Zoomark International, a European trade show for pet products.
BioCraft expects to begin producing initial commercial volumes of its ingredient by the end of 2025, with mouse mousse to follow.