USDA Releases GMO Label, Coca-Cola Invests $15M in Dirty Lemon Parent Co + More

Source: USDA

Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines.

The USDA has released its long-awaited GMO labeling standards. The BE labels help regulate food marketing, not food safety or limiting technology. Coca-Cola’s Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) unit has led a $15 million investment in Iris Nova, the parent company of Dirty Lemon. Hippeas has closed an $8 million round as it prepares for nationwide expansion in Whole Foods and later convenient stores. Sir Kensington has ventured into spices, launching its first DTC platform.

After Blue Apron shares dropped below $1, the company’s latest comeback efforts relies on the dieters of WW, formerly Weight Watchers, to help its bottom line. US pharmaceutical company Merck has acquired digital livestock and animal health company Antelliq for $2.37 billion.

And to wrap up the year in innovation news, check out Eater’s compilation of Food Trends for 2019 and Biggest Food Technology Advances of 2018.

Check out our weekly round-up of last week’s top food startup, tech and innovation news below or peruse the full newsletter here.

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1. Coca-Cola Leads $15M Investment in Dirty Lemon Parent Co. Iris Nova – BevNet

Along with its own brands, Iris Nova has allocated $1m to invest in other beverage brands this year. Dirty Lemon plans to open new retail stores in Manhattan, Chicago and Miami.

2. Merck Acquires Digital Livestock Tech Antelliq for $2.4B in Biggest Agtech Acquisition on Record – AgFunder

The move highlights the pharmaceutical company’s commitment to the animal health business.

3. Amsterdam: Takeaway Buys Delivery Hero’s German Division for $1B – Skift Table

Takeaway’s orders will double to 47m, with expected cost synergies to exceed 60m euros by 2020.

4. Blue Apron Links With Dieters in Comeback Effort – Wall Street Journal

After shares fell below $1, the company entered a partnership with WW Inc, formerly known as Weight Watchers, giving it access to millions of customers interested in healthy eating.

5. Hippeas Closes $8M Round, Expects to Hit Profitability in 2019 – Nosh

Venture group CAVU led the round. In January, the line will enter Whole Foods nationwide and later enter the convenience channel with a test in 7-Eleven.

6. Sir Kensington’s Launches Spice Line, Tests D2C Sales – Nosh

The spice kits are sold through a microsite, where the company will release a different set each month.

7. Here’s a First Look at the Label That Must Appear on All GMO Foods by 2022 – New Food Economy

The “bioengineered” label will soon be a familiar sight, but the government’s criteria for foods that can evade the label are already causing confusion and controversy.

8. Merck Acquires Digital Livestock Tech Antelliq for $2.4B in Biggest Agtech Acquisition on Record – AgFunder

The move highlights the pharmaceutical company’s commitment to the animal health business.

9. Was 2018 the Year of the Influential Sustainable Consumer? – Nielsen

Americans spent $128.5m on sustainable fast-moving consumer goods — a 20% growth in product sales.

10. The Biggest Food Technology Advances of 2018 – Eater

Automated delivery vehicles, robot cooks and servers, and new ways to experience flavor and meet daily nutritional standards will soon be the status quo.

11. Literally Every Single Food Trend Predicted to Take Over 2019 – Eater

A compendium of every prediction about food, restaurants and dining culture for 2019.

12. Women, Women of Color & Gender Non-Conforming Innovator Database

We created this open-source list to increase representation, support and investment in women, women of color & gender-nonconforming innovators in food. Join the list & help us spread the word using #womxninfood

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