Impossible Foods Approaches EU Approval Following Second Positive EFSA Opinion

Impossible Foods is one step closer to selling its plant-based products in the EU after the EFSA ruled that its soy leghemoglobin (heme) is safe to eat. The heme is produced using modified yeast through precision fermentation, giving the plant-based meat a meaty taste and allowing it to "bleed". The approval process began in 2019, and the heme now awaits final approval by the European Commission and EU Member States after a 30-day public consultation period.

The company has also settled a legal dispute with Motif Foodworks over heme technology and has been working on making plant-based meat more appealing to meat-eaters through new packaging and marketing campaigns. An Impossible Foods spokesperson praised the EFSA's positive opinion as an important step towards bringing their products to European consumers, citing previous approvals from other regulators around the world.