- Bored Cow's "synthetic" milk, made with Perfect Day's ProFerm, contains 92 unidentified molecules and a fungicide.
- Perfect Day claims ProFerm is "identical" to cow's milk, but testing reveals significant nutritional discrepancies.
- The Organic Consumers Association and GMO/Toxin Free USA have filed a lawsuit against Perfect Day for false and misleading marketing.
- The FDA's "GRAS" process is under scrutiny for allowing untested synthetic products into the market.
In an era where food technology is rapidly advancing, the line between natural and synthetic is becoming increasingly blurred. The recent controversy surrounding Bored Cow's "synthetic" milk, made with Perfect Day's ProFerm, has raised serious concerns about the safety, nutritional value, and ethical implications of these new products. The Health Research Institute's (HRI) findings, which revealed 92 unidentified molecules and a fungicide in Bored Cow's milk, have sparked a legal battle and a broader debate about the regulatory framework governing food additives.
The rise of synthetic milk and the Perfect Day controversy
Perfect Day, a biotech company, has been at the forefront of developing synthetic milk proteins using genetically modified microflora. The company claims that its product, ProFerm, is "identical" to cow's milk and offers a more sustainable alternative. However, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and GMO/Toxin Free USA have filed a lawsuit against Perfect Day, alleging that the company's marketing is false and misleading.
According to the lawsuit, ProFerm is not identical to cow's milk. HRI's testing revealed that ProFerm is only 13.4% cow's whey protein, with the remaining 86.6% consisting of fungal proteins. These fungal proteins and compounds are not found in cow's milk and have never been part of the human diet. John Fagan, Ph.D., HRI's chief scientist and CEO, emphasized the nutritional deficiencies in synthetic milk:
- 69 important nutrients present in natural milk were either absent or present in trace amounts in ProFerm.
- Vitamins B2, B5, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, were either missing or present in negligible amounts.
- Carnitine, essential for energy metabolism, was either absent or present in trace amounts.
Fagan's findings highlight the stark differences between synthetic and natural milk, challenging Perfect Day's claims of nutritional equivalence. The presence of a fungicide, Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, in Bored Cow's milk further raises concerns about the safety of these products.
The ethical and regulatory implications
The lawsuit against Perfect Day also highlights the shortcomings of the FDA's "GRAS" (Generally Recognized as Safe) process. Under current regulations, companies can self-affirm that their products are GRAS without thorough safety testing. This loophole has allowed Perfect Day to market ProFerm for the past five years, despite the lack of comprehensive safety data.
Alexis Baden-Mayer, political director for the OCA, stated, "Perfect Day markets the ‘milk’ as ‘identical’ to cow’s milk. That’s what we’re going after them for. That kind of false advertising is illegal, and it’s something we can take direct legal action against." The OCA and GMO/Toxin Free USA are demanding a jury trial and an injunction to halt the deceptive marketing of ProFerm.
Diana Reeves, founder and executive director of GMO/Toxin Free USA, described ProFerm as a "nutritionally-devoid substance composed primarily of fungal proteins never before consumed by humans." She added, "It is deeply concerning that this potentially harmful food-like product could be labeled cow’s whey or be advertised as ‘identical to traditional milk.’”
The FDA's "GRAS" process has come under scrutiny, with calls for reform. On March 10, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the FDA to address the GRAS loophole. However, the lawsuit against Perfect Day focuses on the company's misrepresentation to consumers, not the FDA's regulatory framework.
The historical context and the future of food
The controversy surrounding synthetic milk is part of a broader historical trend of technological advancements in food production. From the introduction of pasteurization in the late 19th century to the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the 1990s, each innovation has brought both benefits and challenges. The rise of synthetic biology and "precision fermentation" represents the latest frontier in this ongoing narrative.
However, the ethical and moral implications of these technologies cannot be ignored. The OCA and GMO/Toxin Free USA argue that consumers have a right to know what they are eating and to make informed choices. The synthetic milk scandal raises questions about the transparency and accountability of food companies and the adequacy of regulatory oversight.
As the lawsuit against Perfect Day unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous scientific scrutiny and transparent labeling in the food industry. The debate over synthetic milk is not just about the safety and nutritional value of these products; it is also about the principles of consumer trust and the integrity of the food supply chain.
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