BioCraft, Prefera launch Europe’s first cat food made almost entirely from cultured mouse meat

AUSTRIA – BioCraft Pet Nutrition and Prefera Petfood have signed a landmark deal to bring to market a revolutionary cat food made with 99% animal cell-cultured mouse meat, advancing sustainable pet nutrition. 

The product—aptly named “mouse mousse”—marks the first commercial application of BioCraft’s high-inclusion cultured protein, following the European Union’s recent approval of BioCraft’s animal cell-cultured ingredients.

The partnership pairs BioCraft, a biotech pioneer in pet food innovation, with Prefera, a rising star in premium, natural wet pet food production. 

Together, they aim to deliver a product that not only mimics a cat’s natural prey diet but also exceeds conventional pet food in nutritional quality and safety.

“Achieving a near 100 percent inclusion level of an animal cell-cultured ingredient for a final product is a game-changer for the pet food industry,” said BioCraft founder and CEO Dr. Shannon Falconer. 

“Most cellular agriculture initiatives struggle to reach high inclusion levels, which limits their impact. Prefera understands the importance of real innovation, and with BioCraft’s ingredient, we’ve overcome that challenge.”

Prefera, founded in 2024 in Cluj by pet food industry veterans, will manufacture the mouse mousse in its human-grade facility. The company is known for using only real, identifiable ingredients and avoiding artificial additives or preservatives.

“As a company committed to the highest standards of safety and quality, our partnership with BioCraft helps us innovate in ways that benefit both pets and the environment,” said Nicola Magalini, General Manager of Prefera. 

Hedonically acceptable to cats 

Early palatability trials have shown strong acceptance among cats, with taste tests indicating a clear preference for the cell-cultured mousse. 

“Cats are notoriously selective eaters, so we’re thrilled with the enthusiastic reception,” Magalini added. “It’s clear that our feline friends can’t tell the difference—except perhaps that they prefer it.”

The companies plan to debut product samples at Zoomark International in Bologna from May 5–7, giving pet food professionals a first look at this novel offering. Prefera will be exhibiting at Pad. 36 Stand D47 – C48.

BioCraft’s cultured mouse meat has been validated through third-party testing to match the nutrient profile of conventional meat slurry, including essential amino acids like taurine and methionine. 

The ingredient is free from pathogens, toxins, and heavy metals. It is produced from non-GMO, non-immortalized cells without fetal bovine serum.

Commercial production of BioCraft’s ingredient is expected to begin by the end of 2025, with the new cat food rolling out soon after. Prefera’s products, including the forthcoming mousse, will primarily target European markets.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.