Mycoprotein Enters European Pet Food: Next Co-Manufacturing Ingredient?

On October 21, Dutch pet nutrition developer HenArt launched LEVENDO dog food, incorporating Finnish company Enifer's PEKILO mycoprotein in a gently baked formulation for adult dogs. Enifer's own Kantvik plant in Finland is commissioning in parallel.

This is the first consumer-facing use of fermented protein in European complete pet food. For **pet food contract manufacturers** in China, this is not an overnight trend to chase, but a new-ingredient signal worth tracking.

What Is Mycoprotein

Mycoprotein is produced by large-scale **fungal fermentation**:

• Protein content typically above 60%;
• Cholesterol-free;
• Carbon footprint far below conventional animal protein;
• Texture close to meat.

Quorn has used it in human food for decades; now it enters pet staple food.

Why Now

Three factors aligned:

1. **EU plant-based / fermentation protein subsidies** keep expanding;

2. Pet owners' sensitivity to "low carbon" labels is rising;

3. Traditional meat price volatility pushes brands to hedge with alternative proteins.

What It Means for Co-Packers

This is not a reason to build a fermentation line tomorrow. But a few moves make sense now:

• Track the domestically approved fermentation ingredient catalog;
• Watch import compliance for mycoprotein;
• Reserve plant/fermentation substitution slots in R&D formulas;
• Have a "lower carbon" option ready in brand conversations.

Should Brands Launch Now

In the short term (2026–2027), do not lead with "mycoprotein" because:

• Domestic consumer awareness is very low;
• Ingredient cost is high and supply is unstable;
• Palatability needs longer validation.

As an R&D reserve, it is worth watching. When domestic compliance and cost improve in 2027–2028, first movers have an advantage.

Closing

**Alternative protein pet food** moving from concept to commercialization—mycoprotein entering a European complete dog food—is a landmark. Chinese co-packers need not chase immediately, but should put fermented proteins on the R&D radar.

> Brands tracking new ingredients can keep mycoprotein as a formula reserve option, or talk to the R&D team at **Mixiaoqi pet food OEM/ODM** (Mixiaoqi Guangzhou Pet Technology Co., Ltd.) about which alternative proteins fit small-batch testing in the Chinese market first.