Food Navigator: Leaft blazes new trail in APAC with Lacto Japan

Originally published by Food Navigator on September 9, 2025

Author: Audrey Yow

Original article:

https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2025/09/09/leaft-foods-partners-with-lacto-japan/

Why this matters

This Food Navigator article highlights Leaft's partnership with Lacto Japan as a significant step in taking Rubisco protein from innovation to global scale. Lacto Japan’s technical depth and access to established food manufacturers provide a strong pathway for Rubisco to be adopted in real products, at commercial volumes, in one of the world’s most demanding markets.

For Leaft, this collaboration signals a shift from proof of concept to execution — embedding our protein into existing supply chains and accelerating market adoption through a highly credible partner.

Read the complete story on Food Navigator

https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2025/09/09/leaft-foods-partners-with-lacto-japan/

About Leaft Foods

Leaft Foods harnesses the planet's most plentiful protein, extracted directly from green leaves, to make industry-defining products with a fraction of the carbon footprint of conventional dairy protein. Leaft's allergen-free Rubisco protein matches animal proteins in digestibility and nutritional profile and allows their farmer-growers to diversify how they use their land. Founded in New Zealand by highly experienced corporate leaders John Penno and Maury Leyland, who bring deep expertise in food and farming, and led by food industry veteran Ross Milne, Leaft has evolved from a kitchen experiment into a proven sustainable protein solution for pasture-based agricultural economies worldwide. Now accelerating its expansion with a focus on the United States, the company's transformative approach has attracted diverse backers including prominent Silicon Valley firm Khosla Ventures, NBA basketball star Steven Adams, indigenous investor Ngāi Tahu and ACC. Learn more at LeaftFoods.com and LeaftBlade.com