May 27, 2026 — China’s National Health Commission (NHC) officially announced the approval of 16 new food ingredients under Announcement No. 5 of 2026. Among them, Yellow Chlorella pyrenoidosa, developed and submitted by Protoga, has been officially approved as a novel food ingredient in China.

The approval marks another major milestone for chlorella-based ingredients in the Chinese food industry following the approval of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in 2012, and officially grants market access to Protoga’s flagship YELO’s Chlorella product series.

Regulatory Recognition for a New Microalgae Ingredient

Commissioned by the National Health Commission, regulatory review experts conducted a formal safety assessment of Yellow Chlorella pyrenoidosa in accordance with China’s novel food approval procedures and officially recognized its safety and suitability as a food ingredient.

The approval follows years of scientific research and development by Protoga, supported by nearly three decades of chlorella research and technology accumulated through work originating from Tsinghua University.

YELO’s Chlorella Product Line Targets the Future Protein Market

Using Yellow Chlorella pyrenoidosa as its core raw material, Protoga has developed the YELO’s Chlorella product platform for global food and nutrition markets.

The product portfolio includes:

• YELO’s Chlorella Sol-power — a water-soluble chlorella powder produced through enzymatic hydrolysis technology, designed for beverages, healthy snacks, bakery products, and other food applications.
• YELO’s Chlorella Plant-milk — described by the company as the world’s first commercialized microalgae-based plant milk product, offering high nutritional density and innovation potential in the plant-based beverage sector.
• YELO’s Chlorella Protein — targeting premium protein applications for functional foods, dietary supplements, and foods for special medical purposes.

Strategic Importance for China’s Alternative Protein Industry

The approval provides Protoga with official regulatory access to China’s food market and positions the company at the forefront of next-generation sustainable protein development.

According to the company, the commercialization of Yellow Chlorella products is expected to help establish a new “single-cell microalgae-based” food category within the broader alternative protein industry.

The development also aligns with China’s national strategy of building a “non-arable-land-dependent nutrition supply system,” including broader initiatives focused on obtaining “calories and proteins from microorganisms.”

Unlike traditional agriculture, microalgae cultivation requires minimal arable land and offers lower environmental impact, potentially contributing to food security and carbon reduction goals.

Accelerating the Commercialization of Microalgae Biotechnology

Protoga stated that the approval bridges the gap between upstream biotechnology research and downstream commercial food applications, creating a complete commercialization pathway for high-value microalgae ingredients.

The company expects the approval to stimulate innovation in areas including:

• Sports nutrition
• Dairy alternatives
• Functional foods
• Medical nutrition
• Sustainable protein products

Protoga also believes the development will help accelerate the standardization and industrial scaling of China’s microalgae industry.

Built on Nearly 30 Years of Tsinghua University Research

Protoga’s technology platform is rooted in nearly three decades of scientific research conducted by Professor Wu Qingyu’s research team at Tsinghua University.

Founded in 2021, Protoga focuses on microalgae biotechnology and synthetic biology. Its technology platform integrates:

• AI-driven research
• Gene editing
• Industrial-scale biomanufacturing

Protoga has established three core platforms covering synthetic biology, pilot-scale testing, and flexible commercial-scale production centered on microalgae technology.

The company also serves as the first drafting organization for industry standards related to Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Patents, Certifications, and Industry Expansion

To date, Protoga has applied for or obtained 32 domestic and international patents and has received multiple industry recognitions, including:

• Gold Award at the 2nd National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition
• BEYOND Awards Life Science Award

The company has also obtained:

• ISO9001 certification
• ISO22000 certification
• HACCP certification
• EFfCI GMP certification for cosmetic ingredients
• Halal certification
• Kosher certification

Protoga stated that these certifications support the international expansion of its products across food and cosmetic markets.

Backed by investment institutions including Matrix Partners China and Hengxu Capital, the company continues expanding its commercialization efforts in microalgae biotechnology.

Its product portfolio now spans both the YELO’s Chlorella food ingredient series and the Algsis® EVs extracellular vesicle platform, covering applications in nutrition, biotechnology, and cosmetics.

Source

National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China
Announcement on 16 New Food Ingredients Including Peony Seed Oil
https://www.nhc.gov.cn/sps/c100088/202605/488dacb045534128b6937a31dfdd1176.shtml