FDA Green Lights Cultivated Chicken, Rampant Food Sector Greenwashing + More

Image Credit: Bloomberg

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.

GOOD Meat, Just Eat’s cultivated meat unit, just became the second company to receive FDA approval of its cultivated chicken. If USDA approval is granted, then it will be served at one of Jose Andres’s restaurants in Washington, D.C. A new report from the Changing Markets Foundation pinpoints examples of greenwashing across the food sector. The highly anticipated “Green Claims Directive” could force companies to be more transparent about the climate impacts of their products.

In other news, we are excited to spotlight our podcast in partnership with AgFunder: New Food Order, a nuanced investigation into the business of tackling our climate and social crises through food and agriculture. Read all about why we launched the podcast.

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1. FDA Clears California Company’s Lab-Grown Chicken as Safe to Eat – WSJ

Good Meat is the second company in the industry to have cleared the regulatory hurdle. If approval from the USDA is granted, the company plans to serve its cultivated chicken at one of Jose Andres’ restaurants in Washington DC.

2. Report Suggests ‘Rampant’ Greenwashing in Food Sector – Bloomberg

From “climate neutral certified” beer to “climate friendly” beef jerky, a report from the Changing Markets Foundation pinpoints examples of dubious climate claims.

3. Moving Beyond Carbon Neutrality in Food & Ag – New Food Order

As we increasingly learn about the industry’s potential to be a solution to reversing climate change through carbon sequestering farming practices, the question quickly became: is carbon neutrality enough?

4. Paraquat, the Deadliest Chemical in US Agriculture, Goes on Trial – Civil Eats

Amid lawsuits filed by thousands of farmers linking the herbicide to Parkinson’s disease, the EPA is reconsidering its analysis of paraquat’s risks.

5. Jimi Biotech Debuts China’s First Cultivated Chicken – Green Queen

The company says it has managed to reduce the cost of the culture medium to around ¥ 100 ($14), which is only 3% of the price of the culture medium on the market.

6. Sweden: Oatly Snaps Up $425 Million In Fresh Funds and European McDonald’s Deal – Green Queen

Following a string of quarterly losses, Oatly has raised new funds to continue its expansion, that now includes a deal with McDonald’s.

7. This Farm Bill Really Matters. We Explain Why. – Civil Eats

As communities struggle with food insecurity and farmers face a range of climate-fueled disasters, lawmakers have a chance to build a farm bill that tackles both in 2023. Will they?

8. PepsiCo to Pump $216M into US Regenerative Ag – AFN

PepsiCo has unveiled plans to pump $216m into regenerative agriculture projects spanning 3m acres of farmland in the US.

9. Miyoko’s Creamery Founder Accuses the Company of Gender Discrimination and Misusing Her Name – Food Dive

Miyoko Schinner claims in a lawsuit her removal as CEO of the business she started was retaliation for complaining to investors and HR that she was unfairly treated because she is a woman.

10. All Eyes on California as Fast-Food Worker Rights Land on the 2024 Ballot – Civil Eats

The state’s landmark law giving fast-food workers a greater voice was set to start in January—until opponents stalled it with a ballot referendum.

11. Sweetgreen Wants to Deliver Your Salads by Drone – Restaurant Business

The fast casual chain has signed on to test delivery by Zipline drones that promise to be quick, quiet and precise.

12. Panera Bread Tests Amazon’s Palm-Scanning Technology in St. Louis – CNBC

Customers can use their palms to pay for their orders and connect to their loyalty program accounts.