CHICAGO – As part of an overarching strategy to develop innovative dairy and plant-based products, the Bel Group is collaborating with Superbrewed Food to accelerate biomass fermentation.

Bel, which owns cheese brands Babybel, The Laughing Cow and Boursin, plans to develop a number of cheese lines using Superbrewed Protein, described as a nutrient-rich protein ingredient made from microflora found in nature that convert plant fibers.

Superbrewed shared that its protein contains all nine essential amino acids and is minimally processed to retain its natural nutrition beyond its protein. Per the Delaware-based startup, a 30-gram serving meets the US Food and Drug Administration’s requirements for being a “good source” of five B-vitamins and six essential minerals, including iron, phosphorus and magnesium.

"We are accelerating on biomass fermentation at the R&D level for its environmental, nutritional and accessibility benefits, without compromising on taste and pleasure,” said Anne Pitkowski, Bel Group’s research and application director. “Thus, we are very happy to work hand-in-hand with best-in-class startup Superbrewed Food and to be able to offer promising product innovations to consumers."

Bel’s partnership with the nutrition and health company is part of its mission to offer healthy snacks for all, said Caroline Sorlin, Bel Group’s chief venture officer.

“Bel innovates to support the changes in nutritional needs and meet the challenges of a sustainable diet for an ever-growing world population,” Sorlin said. “We are very happy to enter this exclusive collaboration, which is testament to our pioneering role and acceleration on disruptive technologies. As a family business, we are also proud to have adopted an ‘open collaboration’ model with over 100 partners, including startups, to stimulate and scale up their innovations and so prepare the future of food."

Superbrewed Food develops natural ingredients for both humans and animals using its cultured fermentation alternative protein platform. Its postbiotic cultured protein is produced sustainably and is animal-free and non-GMO, with no known allergens, per the company.

"We're honored to partner with Bel Group to lead the industry in the application of highly scalable alternative proteins for cheese,” said Bryan Tracy, Superbrewed Food’s chief executive officer, who added Bel’s global reach made it an ideal partnership.

The Delaware-based startup is expected to have its protein ready to ship in the first half of 2023. Bel stated it wants to develop a full range of cheeses using the ingredient “very soon.”