FDA approves Tamarack Biotics' light-based milk treatment process

FDA approves Tamarack process — Courtesy of Tamarack Biotics

Tamarack Biotics secured U.S. FDA acceptance for its novel light-based milk treatment process. This clears the way for a new generation of dairy products that retain the full bioactive benefits of raw milk without the risk, the company stated.

Using advanced UV light technology, Tamarack's TruActive process eliminates harmful pathogens while preserving the enzymes, proteins and immunity-supporting compounds that are often destroyed by traditional heat-based pasteurization. The result is a scientifically verified, safe, raw milk equivalent, the company added.

"This is not simply another method of pasteurization, which has been normalized with its heat-based treatment for decades. Tamarack Biotic's light-focusing treatment preserves the taste and creaminess of raw milk, which a growing number of people have rediscovered. Tamarack's TruActive process is also more sustainable than thermal processing—far less energy is used," the company noted in a news release.

"Safe treatment of milk hasn't fundamentally changed in over 150 years," said Bob Comstock, CEO of Tamarack Biotics. "We've created a solution that brings raw milk safety into the 21st century, without sacrificing what makes milk truly nutritious. Our UV process actually achieves a greater level of safety than thermal pasteurization, which is truly remarkable."

The FDA's determination confirms that Tamarack's method meets the official efficacy criteria for pasteurization, allowing it to initially be used in the production of powdered dairy ingredients such as whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate and immune-supporting compounds like lactoferrin. Tamarack has already started expanding TruActive to other dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, kefir and colostrum.

These steps pave the way for acceptance of TruActive treatment of liquid raw milk as early as 2027.