Dairy Giant Lacto Japan Invests in Rubisco Protein Startup

Lacto Japan, one of Japan’s leading dairy companies, has made a strategic investment in New Zealand-based Leaft Foods, a startup developing protein ingredients from alfalfa leaves. The move aims to accelerate the commercialization of Rubisco protein in Japan and expand access to sustainable, high-nutrition protein solutions as consumer demand for healthier food products continues to rise.

According to Green Queen, the investment builds on an existing partnership between the two companies that seeks to bring Leaft Foods’ Rubisco protein to some of Japan’s largest food manufacturers. The collaboration is expected to generate revenues worth tens of millions of dollars over the next five years.

Rubisco is often described as the most abundant protein on Earth because it is present in every green plant. Leaft Foods extracts the protein from alfalfa cultivated in New Zealand’s Canterbury region through a proprietary process designed to preserve its delicate structure and nutritional properties.

The protein stands out because it is a complete protein, containing all essential amino acids required by the human body. It also offers a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) comparable to beef, eggs, and dairy proteins. In addition, it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and micronutrients that make it attractive for a wide range of food applications.

According to Green Queen, Rubisco also delivers strong functional benefits. It can foam, gel, and emulsify, allowing it to perform similarly to egg whites in baked goods while also serving as an alternative ingredient in plant-based meat products.

For Lacto Japan, the investment aligns with growing consumer interest in protein-rich foods and sustainable nutrition. The company stated that the partnership will help expand opportunities to deliver healthy protein solutions while addressing broader challenges related to environmental sustainability and future protein supply.

Leaft Foods was founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife team John Penno and Maury Leyland Penno. The company spent years developing a food-safe extraction technology capable of isolating Rubisco without damaging its structure, a challenge that scientists have attempted to solve for more than a century.

The resulting protein ingredient offers advantages over many traditional plant proteins such as soy and pea protein. According to company data cited by Green Queen, its Rubisco isolate delivers a superior amino acid profile and generates up to 97% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than whey protein.

Leaft Foods has already introduced its first consumer product, Leaft Blade, a protein-rich pre-workout beverage containing 17 grams of protein per serving. The company is also working with manufacturers across multiple categories, including sports nutrition, plant-based foods, bakery products, dairy alternatives, and pet food.

Beyond its partnership with Lacto Japan, Leaft Foods has established commercial relationships with companies including Foodstuffs South Island and Meateor Pet Foods. These collaborations are helping expand the use of Rubisco protein across diverse food and nutrition applications.

According to Green Queen, Leaft Foods has raised approximately $15 million in funding and operates a 30,000-square-foot commercial demonstration facility in Canterbury capable of producing around one tonne of Rubisco products per week.

As global food companies search for sustainable protein sources that combine nutrition, functionality, and environmental benefits, Rubisco is emerging as a promising ingredient. The investment from Lacto Japan represents another signal that major food industry players are increasingly looking beyond traditional dairy and plant proteins to meet future consumer demand.