TurtleTree’s LF+ lactoferrin first to secure vegan certification

15 Feb 2024 --- TurtleTree becomes the first ever precision fermentation dairy company to obtain a vegan certification for its animal product-free lactoferrin LF+. As the first lactoferrin to receive the Certified Vegan logo, the product undertook comprehensive testing.

“While most companies in the space state that their products are vegan and animal-free, almost none take the extra step of obtaining certification, enabling a third party to validate these claims,” a TurtleTree spokesperson tells Nutrition Insight. “TurtleTree is one of the rare companies—and the only precision fermentation dairy company—to do so.”

“With this certification, we are putting words into action and allowing that action to be validated by a third party,” comments Fengru Lin, CEO and co-founder of TurtleTree. 

“We were thrilled to get TurtleTree’s product Vegan Certified because of the benchmark this sets for the rest of the industry,” adds Krissi Vandenberg, director of Vegan Action. 

Can precision fermentation be vegan?
Precision fermentation products most frequently do not include animals or animal byproducts. However, perceptions on whether or not precision fermentation-derived products can be vegan differ. 

This is the case because the bioidentical nature and origins of the genetic codes used in the production process could be perceived by some as being inherently non-vegan, particularly when applied to vegan certification standards created to test plant-based products.

Safety testing on plant-based products is often more complex and expensive than that required for animal productions, which is the reason why other precision fermentation companies prefer not to pursue a formal vegan certification despite advertising their products as vegan and animal-free

“We want to build a food system that is sustainable and enables animals to live happier and healthier lives,” comments Lin. “As conscious consumers increasingly prioritize ethical choices, we aim to provide food and beverage brands with the confidence that our products align with those evolving values.”

 The company states that it is seeking a standardized definition of veganism that takes into account precision fermentation-derived products.

“TurtleTree’s dedication to ethical practices and transparency will undoubtedly inspire other precision fermentation companies,” adds Vandenberg. This certification demonstrates the tangible steps companies can take to validate and communicate their values to customers, underlining a collective commitment to ethical standards.”

After proving its adherence to rigorous criteria, guaranteeing the exclusion of animal products, byproducts and animal testing, LF+ is now the only vegan lactoferrin on the market, aiming to challenge the market dominance of lactoferrin derived from cow milk.

Lactoferrin is a bioactive component naturally found in cow milk. It contains an abundance of nutrients that support early life growth and proteins that facilitate gut health, immunity and iron regulation. 

By Milana Nikolova