Image Credit: Vegconomist

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.

Twelve European Union Agriculture Ministers have united to advocate for a reevaluation of the regulatory approval process for cultivated meat within the EU. This collaborative effort aims to address and potentially revise the authorization framework, as they see the technology as a threat to the economy, public health and farmers. Meanwhile, a shift towards sustainable food systems is highlighted in a report revealing the potential to generate an impressive $10 trillion in benefits annually. Researchers assert that the current food production methods incur substantial medical and environmental costs, suggesting that transitioning to more sustainable practices could result in significant economic advantages.

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. 12 EU Agriculture Ministers Form Coalition Against Cultivated Meat – Vegconomist

A coalition of a dozen EU agriculture ministers pushed for a revision of the regulatory approval framework for the authorization of cultivated meat at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

2. Move to Sustainable Food Systems Could Bring $10T Benefits a Year – The Guardian

Existing production destroys more value than it creates due to medical and environmental costs, researchers say.

3. Germany: Infinite Roots Raises $58M in “Europe’s Largest Investment in Mycelium” – Vegconomist

Infinite Roots uses patented fermentation technologies to develop a diverse range of foods using edible mushroom mycelium.

4. Israel: Steakholder Foods Unveils the World’s First 3D Printed Plant-Based Shrimp – Vegconomist

Steakholder Foods’ food team utilized its DropJet printer and shrimp-flavored inks developed in-house to “precision-print” the analogs, layer-by-layer.

5. Daily Harvest Is Now Making Ozempic-Friendly Meals – Fast Company

The healthy meal and smoothie maker has introduced a curated selection of meals for Ozempic and Wegovy users.

6. WIC Shortfall Could Leave 2M Women And Children Hungry – Civil Eats

In this week’s The Field Report, we report on WIC under threat, women farmworkers advocating for greater rights, and a fertilizer plant acquisition that fans consolidation fears.

7. Netherlands: Meatable Prepares for First Cultivated Pork Tasting in the Netherlands, Mosa Meat to Follow with Cultivated Beef – Vegconomist

As soon as the experts give the green light, Meatable will host the first-ever tasting of its cultivated pork products.

8. The Menu Trends That Define Dining Right Now – New York Times

A look at 121 menus from restaurants all over the country. Together, they offer a glimpse into the tastes and values of today.