One of the world’s largest seed developers, Syngenta Seeds, is partnering with InstaDeep to accelerate the development of crop traits using machine learning technology. This collaboration combines Syngenta’s expertise in research and development with InstaDeep’s large language model AgroNT, which can interpret the genetic code of crop species after being trained on trillions of organic molecules.

Nestlé Health Science has launched the GLP-1 nutrition support platform in the USA. This innovative platform, available at www.glp-1nutrition.com, aims to meet the nutritional needs of consumers on their weight loss and maintenance journey. The platform offers holistic and personalized care with exclusive products from brands such as Garden of Life, Nature’s Bounty, and Boost. Users can receive guidance from medical experts, nutritional coaching, and community support regarding weight loss therapies.

Golden Rice is a genetically engineered type of rice designed to combat vitamin A deficiency. Developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, this rice contains genes from daffodils and bacteria, producing beta-carotene. Despite its potential health benefits, opponents such as Greenpeace Southeast Asia have raised concerns about its safety and impact on local agriculture. Supporters, on the other hand, emphasize the product’s safety, humanitarian benefits, and lack of patent restrictions.

Nestlé Nespresso SA has introduced a new series of paper-based and home-compostable capsules in the Netherlands. This new range includes five different coffee blends sourced from sustainable origins, aiming to enhance consumer environmental awareness.

In Madagascar, vanilla and in Southeast Asia, coffee, among many other popular commodities, have been facing supply chain problems for a while. True Essence Foods, a food technology company, aims to mitigate these issues through innovative technologies such as Flavor Balancing and Flavor Symmetry. These advancements focus on preserving flavor, increasing sustainability, and reducing waste in various food and beverage categories, offering long-term benefits amidst supply chain uncertainties.

A study conducted at the National Institute of Food Science and Technology in Faisalabad offers promising developments for celiac patients and those with gluten intolerance. The research indicates that gluten-free biscuits made from corn and tapioca flours possess superior sensory qualities compared to those made from wheat flour. Consumer tests and detailed analyses reveal that this new blend scores highest in terms of color, taste, texture, aroma, and overall acceptability in biscuits.

Samsung has released a software update for its Family Hub refrigerators. With this update, the 2024 Family Hub will be able to recognize over 33 different types of food and suggest recipes based on the ingredients. Additionally, the update includes the ‘Samsung Tap View’ feature, allowing content mirroring from Samsung Galaxy phones. As Samsung’s refrigerators gain smart features, integration with the Samsung Food app is expected to advance further in 2025.

Founded in 2020, Lund-based food technology company Saveggy has developed an edible coating that extends the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Serving as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging, this plant-based coating forms a thin, invisible layer on the surface of produce. Acting as a protective barrier, it prevents moisture loss and slows down oxidation. The company made its market entry with a coating product derived from canola and oats, specifically tailored for cucumbers. Saveggy® is a modular platform technology that can be customized to meet the specific requirements of various fruits and vegetables.

The Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (VDI) of the Beer Institute, initiated in 2016, emphasizes nutritional transparency by providing serving facts, ingredient information, alcohol content, and freshness dating on beer labels and packaging. Over 95% of products from leading beer manufacturers include this information, setting a high standard for transparency in the alcoholic beverage industry. The initiative aims to enable consumers to make informed and responsible choices while highlighting the unique characteristics of beer compared to other alcoholic beverages.

Gaeastar, a startup producing compostable beverage cups using clay, is launching a pilot program with Verve Coffee in the US. Under this program, Verve will utilize Gaeastar’s coffee cups produced with 3D printing technology at three locations, with plans to expand to other branches over time.