According to report produced by The Good Food Institute (GFI), 2019 and the first seven months of 2020 were record periods of investment in fermentation companies creating sustainable alternatives to conventional animal-based foods and ingredients. 

In alignment with the company’s Core Value of Excellence, the new lab will strengthen its dedication in supporting and driving the long-term improvement of wheat quality, commitment to flour quality and consistency and ongoing exploration of innovation opportunities.  

Mars, Incorporated announced the hiring of Dr. Maria Velissariou as the new global corporate research & development (R&D) vice president and chief science officer. Dr. Velissariou joins Mars on Sept. 13 and will lead Mars' enterprise-wide approach to quality and food safety, scientific & regulatory affairs and deliver Mars' R&D strategy in partnership with its business segments.

PLT Health Solutions, Inc. announced that Earthlight® Whole Food Vitamin D has received Novel Foods Approval in the EU, paving the way for this unique dietary ingredient to be used in food and beverages produced and sold in Europe. 

Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch® plant-based seafood products, announced the official opening of a new, dedicated production facility in Heath, Ohio. The 42,500 sq ft. facility was constructed specifically for high-tech production of Good Catch's innovative plant-based product offerings.

With demand for seafood at an all-time high and supply in an increasingly vulnerable state, a group of food innovators and culinary leaders joined forces with tech experts to create BlueNalu Inc., the global leader in cell-based seafood, that produces seafood directly from fish cells. 

Golden West Food Group and Cooks Venture – a vertically integrated food company re-envisioning the future of agriculture – announced the closing of a $10 million Series A investment. Earlier this year, Golden West Food Group led a $4 million investment for the regenerative agriculture start-up expanding its distribution nationwide. 

JBS USA wasn’t one of the first companies active in the meat alternatives space, yet the Greeley, Colo., meat and poultry giant (one of the nation’s largest) is on pace to disrupt the category! JBS formed Planterra Foods in Boulder County and invested years of research in food science, consumer insights and packaging in support of OZO™, a new line that debuted just this past April. 

PURE Bioscience, Inc., creator of the patented non-toxic silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, announced the appointment of Jason Kawata as its new vice president of technology, food division.

From sweet pastry fillings to savory almond-and-rice mixes, food scientists should be aware of all the unique processed versions of fruits and nuts and the applications that they work best in. Handling these often delicate ingredients with care will ensure optimal presentation as well as safety and flavor quality for the duration of that application’s shelf life.