Molecular Farming: Creating Peas that are Both Plant and Animal?
What is molecular farming? Technically, molecular farming is defined as the production of proteins and other metabolites that are considered valuable to medicine or industry in plants traditionally used in agriculture. Some have casually referred to molecular farming as synbio on steroids.
Thus, inasmuch as synbio (i.e., precision fermentation) is the genetic modification of microorganisms to exploit them for what they do... Read more
Consumer preference shows GMOs are not wanted or needed in the innovative plant-based space
Bellingham, Wash. – September 7, 2022 – Last year plant-based food sales grew three times faster than total sales, with market value at an all-time high of $7.4 billion. One of the fastest growing product categories, plant-based foods is expected to reach $162 billion in the next decade. Eaters are drawn to plant-based foods for reasons such as health, climate, and affordability. SPINS reports abou... Read more
GNT launches Non-GMO Project Verified range of clean-label EXBERRY® color concentrates
[Dallas, NC, September 6, 2022] — EXBERRY® by GNT has created a new portfolio of Non-GMO Project Verified colors that eliminates the need for manufacturers to secure independent non-GMO approval.
Based on the concept of coloring food with food, EXBERRY® colors are clean-label concentrates made from non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants using physical processing methods. However, navigating the ... Read more
We are actively recruiting for three volunteers to serve as Voting Members on the Standards Committee (SC). If you are interested in making a positive impact in the Non-GMO space through your knowledge, experience, and passion, apply!
The SC oversees the development of the Non-GMO Project Standard and is responsible for addressing all standard-related comments received from stakeholders. Revisions and interpretations proposed by the SC are reviewed and voted upon by the Standards Oversight ... Read more
A New Plant-Based Meat Analog – This Time with Synbio Bovine Blood Proteins
The Non-GMO Project closely monitors all food and ingredient products made using synbio (also known as precision fermentation) and has done so for a number of years. We are now seeing these products making their way into the food supply chain. Since its introduction in 2016, the Impossible™ Burger from Impossible™ Foods has had the distinction of being the only plant-based meat analog that includes a synb... Read more
Bioceres GM HB4 Wheat Gains Traction Worldwide
Wheat is a grain fundamental to global health and food security across the world. Our breads, pastas, and other wheat-based foods take up a major portion on our plates, providing an estimated 20% of calories globally. Other principal crops such as corn and soy, which are mostly GMO, are fed to livestock -- not directly to us. Traditionally, consumer acceptance of GMO wheat has been low because we eat wheat at the dinner table. However, with ... Read more
Recently, animal-free dairy proteins have entered the marketplace as ingredients in a variety of food products, including milk, ice cream, and cake mix. To date, these products have featured Perfect Day’s synbio animal-free whey proteins. However, Perfect Day is not the only company developing these synbio proteins, which are produced using genetically modified microorganisms in a process often referred to as precision fermentation. It’s important to note that all products of new gen... Read more
GMO “Animal-Free” Dairy Threatens Non-GMO, Organic Producers
Bellingham, Wash. – May 25, 2022 – During June Dairy Month, the Non-GMO Project joins American dairy farmers in calling out synthetic dairy, which is quietly appearing in grocery store coolers throughout North America.
In recent years, “animal-free” dairy proteins have found their way into everything from ice cream to cream cheese to snack bars, but many shoppers, food manufacturers and retailers are unaware that thes... Read more
Dulcet Scintilla, a food industry game changer, and a pioneer of clean high-quality ingredients has obtained the Non-GMO Project Verified certification for its Bell’s Reines full line of miniature soft cookies.
Dulcet Scintilla’s brand Bell’s Reines cookies are made without artificial preservatives or artificial flavors since creation in 2019. Dulcet Scintilla wants to support its customers in feeling comfortable, safe, and healthy while enjoying delicious treats. This certification c... Read more
Betterland Foods™ – Food that is better for whom?
Animal-free food alternatives continue to enter the marketplace with great fanfare. Many of these products are created using synthetic biology, also known as synbio, a technique that involves the genetic engineering of microorganisms to create novel ingredients that an unmodified microorganism could never produce – such as dairy or whey proteins. It’s important to note that all products of new genetic engineering techniques, includ... Read more
Is a GE heat-tolerant cow a good thing?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that a genetically engineered (GE) cow poses a low risk and does not raise any safety concerns, making it safe for human consumption. The angus cow (Bos taurus) has been engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 to be more heat-tolerant based on genetic differences identified in other breeds that are either naturally more heat-tolerant or have been cross-bred over time to be better able to thrive in wa... Read more
Let them eat cake? It’s vegan— but it’s also GMO
Perfect Day and its affiliate the Urgent Company are exploring new avenues for Perfect Day’s genetically engineered (GE), animal-free dairy and whey proteins.
Late last year, the Urgent Company released a new dessert under its Brave Robot brand: the Climate Hero Super Cake mix. The new offering is a vegan cake mix made with Perfect Day’s animal-free whey proteins as an egg substitute. The product is marketed to consumers... Read more
In 2021, the Canadian government proposed regulatory guidance that would remove oversight from many gene-edited plants entering the marketplace. The Non-GMO Project is a significant stakeholder in the GMO debate, and the Product Verification Program includes many items produced or sold in Canada. In support of our Canadian colleagues at the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), we submitted the following letter to the Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Re: Draft guidance ... Read more
More synbio GMOs hitting the grocery store courtesy of Modern Kitchen
After years of development, products of synthetic biology (synbio) are now entering the marketplace. We first heard about Perfect Day’s synbio dairy proteins (made using genetically engineered microbes) when they were introduced in Brave Robot ice cream. However, ice cream was just the beginning. A range of new products created using synbio are poised to enter the marketplace at an increasing pace.
The Urgent Compa... Read more
