NEW TECH FOODS

China has launched its first alternative protein centre dedicated to cultivated meat and fermentation-derived products in Beijing’s Fengtai District, according to Green Queen.

Located in China Meat Food Comprehensive Research Center, The 'New Protein Food Science and Technology Innovation Base' is supported by the public and private sectors, backed by an ¥80 million ($10.9 million) investment from the local government and Shounong Food Group.

The facility houses advanced production equipment, including a 200-litre cell line for cultivated meat and a 2,000-litre microbial protein production line. Planned expansions will add two more 2,000-litre cell culture lines and three microbial protein pilot lines, ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 litres.

The centre aims is to advance lab-based research into scalable industrial applications, with a focus on cell engineering and synthetic biology. Products unveiled at the site's launch included microbial protein bars, microbe-fermented tofu meat and cultivated marbled steak.

In May, Fengtai District introduced policies to in integrate resources, boost productivity and accelerate food industry development. These efforts led to the creation of the district’s first future food industrial park – Shounong Industrial Park – attracting scientific research and industry collaborations.