EFSA finds Solar Foods’ Solein protein safe

Finland’s Solar Foods has received a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority for its protein ingredient Solein, Yle reports. The product still needs final approval from the European Union before it can be sold in the bloc.

Solar Foods first submitted its application for novel food approval to the European Commission in 2021. If approved, Solein could be used in certain products, including supplements, drinks, bars and ice cream.

Solein is a protein-rich powder made by feeding microbes gases, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen, along with small amounts of nutrients. The company says it can be used as a substitute for milk, eggs and meat.

The positive assessment allows Solar Foods to move forward with preparations for an investment decision on a planned production plant in Lappeenranta. The company has said it expects to make a final decision on the factory this year.

Solar Foods has a factory in Vantaa that was completed in 2024. The Lappeenranta plant is intended to be the company’s first industrial-scale production facility and is planned to open in 2028. It would increase annual Solein production capacity from 160 tonnes to 6,400 tonnes.