Gene-Edited Sausages, 3D Printed Fish Filet, FDA Approves Microbiome Pill + More

Image Credit: WSU Insider

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.

Groundbreaking advancements in food technology have emerged, sparking excitement and controversy in equal measure. Washington State University has become the first university to introduce gene-edited pigs into the human food chain with the authorization of the US Department of Agriculture. In Israel, Steakholder Foods has created the world’s first cultivated fish fillet using 3D printing technology. The FDA has also approved the first-ever pill for the microbiome, SER-109, which aims to prevent recurring infections of C. difficile bacteria.

In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of 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, and be sure to subscribe and share!

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1. First University to Put Gene-Edited Livestock Into Human Food Supply – WSU Insider

WSU received USDA authorization to have gene-edited pigs enter the food chain for human consumption — in this case, as German-style sausages.

2. Israel Startup Prints World’s First Cultivated Fish Fillet – No Camels

Unlike fully-cultivated meat products, Steakholder Foods’ technology means the fish filet is ready to cook immediately, significantly increasing production speed and reducing costs compared to traditional 3D printing.

3. FDA Approves First Pill for the Microbiome – TIME

Called SER-109, the pill is a cocktail of bacteria that can prevent recurring infections of C. difficile bacteria in people who have had previous episodes, and help them maintain healthy levels of gut bacteria.

4. After Years of Sinking Venture Funding, Plant-Based Seafood Charts a New Course – Crunchbase

Seafood startups and the venture firms that fund them are charting a new course—one that means more funding is going to fewer startups.

5. This Week’s Tiniest Social Media Drama Is About Olive Oil – New York Times

An angry post by Graza’s CEO Andrew Benin caused a stir in a small corner of the internet food world, in part because it raised a slippery question: Who owns the squeeze bottle?

6. The Risks Brands Take When Touching on Social Issues – WSJ

The outcry over Bud Light’s partnership with a transgender advocate could cause brands to rethink whether and how they address contentious social issues.

7. Remilk Is the First Precision Fermentation Dairy Approval in Israel – Green Queen

Israel’s Ministry of Health has granted Remilk approval for its non-animal dairy products, marking an historic first for the country’s nascent precision fermentation sector.

8. Amazon Could Buy 100s of Grocery Stores Being Divested by Kroger and Albertsons – Insider

Kroger and Albertsons are trying to complete a giant grocery merger. The companies are divesting hundreds of stores as part of the deal, presenting an opportunity for Amazon.

9. Climate Change Is Walloping US Farms. Can This Farm Bill Create Real Solutions? – Civil Eats

Although it seems like everyone in DC is buzzing about a “climate farm bill,” some of the most impactful changes, including crop diversification and shifting diets from meat toward plants, are barely on the negotiating table.

10. This AI-Generated Ad for a Fake Pizza Restaurant Shows the Tech Still Has a Long Way To Go – Insider

A Reddit user posted a pizza ad he made using AI tools like ChatGPT Plus and Midjourney.