Nourish Ingredients secures US clearance for Tastilux, its animal-free fat

Nourish Ingredients, the Australian food-tech company focused on fermentation-derived fats, has received regulatory clearance to sell its flagship product Tastilux in the USA. The FEMA Expert Panel has granted the company’s Mortierella alpina biomass (S11) Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for use as a flavoring ingredient, clearing the way for US commercial sales.

The FEMA GRAS process provides an independent safety assessment for substances used to impart flavor in foods. Approval is a critical step for international companies seeking entry into the USA, the world’s largest packaged food market. With this milestone, Nourish can now market Tastilux directly to food brands and manufacturers. “We’re already trialing our ingredients with key partners in the US and globally, and this FEMA GRAS status accelerates bringing Tastilux to the US market as soon as possible,” said James Petrie, founder and CEO of Nourish Ingredients.

The approval comes at a time when food companies are searching for better solutions to overcome taste and aroma limitations in plant-based proteins. Tastilux, a fermentation-based fat designed to replicate the sensory qualities of animal fat, is formulated to produce the Maillard reaction when cooked. This chemical process is central to the savory flavors associated with conventional meats, from chicken and beef to pork. By enabling that reaction, Tastilux can deliver the flavor depth and authenticity often missing from plant-based alternatives.

Earlier in 2025, Nourish expanded its production capacity for Tastilux by 1,700%, scaling up in anticipation of future demand. The company expects the ingredient to find applications not only in plant-based meats but also in hybrid proteins, snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and as a substitute for rendered animal fats such as tallow. “This regulatory milestone represents a major commercial breakthrough for our proprietary potent fats and technology, enabling us to deliver a true-to-meat experience that has been missing in the market,” Petrie said.

Beyond the US, the FEMA GRAS recognition is expected to strengthen Nourish’s position in international discussions. The company is already in talks with partners across the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and other regions, where regulatory approvals often align with US standards. Securing GRAS status therefore not only facilitates entry into the American market but also accelerates global expansion efforts.

Nourish Ingredients positions its fats as a solution to one of the most persistent challenges in the alternative protein sector: consumer dissatisfaction with taste. By producing compounds found in animal fat but made through precision fermentation, the company aims to bridge the gap between plant-based and animal-based foods without requiring livestock. Tastilux is intended to integrate easily into existing formulations, enhancing flavor while also providing aroma and texture contributions that improve the overall eating experience.

Founded in Canberra, Nourish has built its technology around identifying and scaling rare but impactful fat molecules. Unlike commodity vegetable oils, which are commonly used in plant-based meat products, these specialized fats are produced in small quantities in nature but have an outsized influence on flavor and aroma. Through microbial fermentation, the company is able to produce them consistently at industrial scale.

The global roll-out of Tastilux will depend on regulatory progress and supply chain readiness, but Nourish now has one of the essential pieces in place with FEMA GRAS approval. For food manufacturers seeking to broaden their alternative protein ranges, the arrival of a new flavoring fat that promises both functionality and consumer appeal could represent a timely development.