The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent US12582140B2 for a novel method of preparing casein hydrolysate. The patent, assigned to Arla Foods amba, specifically describes a process utilizing endogenous plasmin for the hydrolysis of casein, aiming to produce an organic casein hydrolysate without the addition of exogenous enzymes. The patent was granted on March 24, 2026, with a filing date of July 6, 2021.

This patent grant represents a new intellectual property asset for Arla Foods amba in the area of food ingredient processing. While not a regulatory mandate, it signifies innovation in the production of specialized food components. Companies operating in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly those involved in dairy-derived ingredients or seeking novel protein hydrolysates for nutritional or therapeutic applications, should be aware of this granted patent as it may impact their freedom to operate or inform their own research and development strategies.