![\"Synthetic](\"http:\/\/www.tomgrimshaw.com\/tomsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Synthetic_Milk-300x157.jpg\")
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Recent testing revealed 92 unknown molecules \u2014 and a fungicide \u2014 in \u201csynthetic\u201d milk now sold in common\u00a0grocery chains<\/a>, according to the Health Research Institute (HRI).<\/p>\n The product, sold by\u00a0Bored Cow<\/a>, uses a fake whey protein called \u201cProFerm\u201d made by\u00a0biotech company and partner<\/a>\u00a0Perfect Day.\u00a0Perfect Day<\/a>\u00a0uses genetically modified \u201cmicroflora<\/a>\u201d to produce the synthetic milk protein.<\/p>\n According to Bored Cow, their product is a new kind of \u201canimal-free\u201d milk alternative \u201cmade with real milk protein<\/a>\u00a0from fermentation.\u201d<\/p>\n HRI<\/a>, a nonprofit independent lab based in Fairfield, Iowa, examined multiple samples of Bored Cow\u2019s \u201coriginal\u201d flavor milk using\u00a0mass spectrometry<\/a>\u00a0to test the claim that the synthetic protein it contained was the same as real milk protein.<\/p>\n Synthetic milk has never before been consumed by humans and has not undergone safety testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to HRI\u2019s Chief Scientist and CEO\u00a0John Fagan, Ph.D.<\/a><\/p>\n The testing results have yet to be published, but Fagan shared a few highlights with\u00a0The Defender<\/a>, including that the synthetic milk lacked many important micronutrients found in natural milk such as an omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin E and some B vitamins.<\/p>\n It also contained a host of compounds that could be harmful to human health, Fagan said.<\/p>\n This news comes as\u00a0Italy last month banned<\/a>\u00a0the sale of synthetically-produced meat, making it the\u00a0first country to ban synthetic food<\/a>, according to the\u00a0Organic Consumers Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fagan \u2014 a molecular biologist and former cancer researcher at the National Institutes of Health \u2014 has been a\u00a0worldwide pioneer in testing<\/a>\u00a0genetically modified organisms (GMOs).<\/p>\n Commenting on his lab\u2019s findings, he told The Defender, \u201cThe 92 unknown molecules we found have never been studied by scientists. So we don\u2019t know whether they\u2019re safe or dangerous, whether they are nutrients or toxics.\u201d<\/p>\n