Weekly AgriFoodTech Update: Aerofarms Secures Equity, TerraBlaster Receives $4 Million Funding, Rihanna Supporting African Female Climate Entrepreneurs
In the realm of food regulation, a significant event has taken place as Dr. David Kessler, a renowned figure, submitted a citizen petition to the FDA calling for the revocation of the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for processed refined carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are key ingredients in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) such as refined sweeteners, corn syrup, refined flour, and starches. The petition argues that scientific evidence links these refined carbohydrates to metabolic harms like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, thus challenging their continued GRAS status.
The FDA has 180 days to respond to this petition, meaning a response is expected by early 2026. However, the initial official reply from the FDA may be limited to an acknowledgment or a statement that the petition is still under review. If the FDA delays significantly beyond this timeframe without substantial response, Dr. Kessler might consider legal action to compel a decision.
This petition is notable because it lays out a legal and science-based pathway to regulate UPFs by targeting their defining ingredients. It could influence the FDA’s regulatory approach similarly to how it handled trans fats in 2015, when GRAS status was revoked for partially hydrogenated oils. The petition has received substantial media and expert attention as a potential turning point in food regulation policy.
Elsewhere in the world of food, Just Egg, a plant-based egg alternative, has launched into the UK with Ocado listing. Beyond Meat, another plant-based food company, has brought in a chief transformation officer and has cut more jobs following another grim quarter.
In agriculture, funding to precision agriculture has jumped 71%, outpacing ag biotech for the first time since 2017. Cropin has picked the UK to combine AI and regenerative agriculture in a €700k potato project. TerraBlaster, a soil health analytics startup, has closed an oversubscribed $4m pre-seed round.
In the field of technology, Switch Bioworks has expanded its leadership team. Advancing Eco Agriculture has launched an AI chatbot for regenerative agronomy. AeroFarms has raised equity to fund pre-construction activities for a second farm.
In the realm of climate change, Foundations have launched a $50 million adaptation and resilience fund for communities facing climate risks. Flox has raised nearly $1M to redefine human-wildlife coexistence in Sweden. Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation has backed women climate founders in Africa via Gather Ventures.
In the world of policy, the USDA's top trade official, Lindberg, has been confirmed. Bayer is working to significantly contain glyphosate litigation by end of 2026. US senators have asked the FDA to ban dairy-like terms on plant-based product labels.
Finally, in the world of food production, Juicy Marbles & Friends has launched whole-cut plant-based salmon. John Deere has launched a digital self-repair tool for $195 per tractor. Nomura has backed Terviva to boost SAF feedstocks and reforest degraded land. Cargill has secured an initial victory in the erythritol anti-dumping case vs China, with unintended consequences. Albert Heijn, a global supermarket, has disclosed methane emissions.
These developments highlight the dynamic and evolving landscape of food, agriculture, and technology, with significant shifts in regulation, funding, and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates in this exciting space.
- The petition challenging the GRAS status of processed refined carbohydrates could pave the way for a regulatory approach toward ultra-processed foods similar to the one used for trans fats.
- In the realm of technology, Advancing Eco Agriculture has launched an AI chatbot for regenerative agronomy, demonstrating the growing intersection between AI and agriculture.
