Dairy industry
Genetic engineering could replace cows
Will dairy cows soon be superfluous? We can wonder since Nestlé invented in the laboratory an artificial milk that can be produced on a large scale.
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AFP
The food giant Nestlé recently launched a genetically modified milk called “Cowa Bunga” on the American market on a trial basis, reveals the “SonntagsZeitung”. This artificial milk is made from proteins from the American company Perfect Day. This uses microorganisms that have been genetically modified to produce milk proteins. This laboratory milk should be similar to the original in taste and composition. How was it received by consumers in the United States? “The test went well,” said a Nestlé spokesperson. Consumers were pleasantly surprised by the similarity to cow’s milk products.”
In the process, the competitor of the Vevey multinational, Unilever, announced its intention to sell this year on the European market Ben & Jerry’s ice cream made from proteins grown in the laboratory. But big companies are not the only ones wanting to shake up the milk market. Young Swiss entrepreneur Raffael Wohlgensinger is about to launch a cheese made with the help of genetic engineering. “We will launch our cheese alternatives on the German market this year,” says the founder of the Berlin start-up Formo.
The big question is whether laboratory milk will soon make dairy cows superfluous. In any case, it can be produced industrially on a large scale. According to the Federal Office for Agriculture, it is still too early to assess the chances of success of new alternatives to milk and their consequences, whether such innovations can fundamentally change the dairy industry. “The potential for such products always depends on price and consumer acceptance,” says spokesman Jonathan Fisch.
(cle)