Tamarack Biotics Earns FDA Approval for Light-Based Milk Treatment

FRESNO, Calif. — Tamarack Biotics, a food technology company developing non-thermal methods to treat milk, has secured U.S. FDA acceptance for its light-based milk treatment process.

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

This is not another method of pasteurization, which has been used as a heat-based treatment for decades, the company said. Tamarack Biotic's light-focusing treatment aims to preserve the taste and creaminess of raw milk, the company said.

Tamarack said its TruActive process is more sustainable than thermal processing, using less energy.

"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 Tamarack's method meets 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 started expanding TruActive to other dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, kefir and colostrum. The company said these steps could pave the way for acceptance of TruActive treatment of liquid raw milk as early as 2027.