Brightseed, the developer of an AI-powered phytonutrient discovery solution, has raised $27 million in a funding round led by Lewis & Clark AgriFood. Founded in 2017, Brightseed has developed Forager, an AI solution that can reportedly search for undiscovered compounds in plants which provide proven health benefits, as well as searching for new benefits in existing plant-based products and ingredients. In humans, phytonutrients such as lycopene and resveratrol support health by boosting anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. Brightseed claims that this latest investment follows Forager’s “discovery of a powerful phytonutrient” with the potential to support metabolic health, helping those at risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, liver diseases and weight management issues. This new financing round means Brightseed has now raised $52 million in total funding, after factoring in the $25 million raised in previous a funding round led by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, Horizons Ventures, CGC Ventures, Fifty Years, Germin8 Ventures, and AgFunder. Brightseed has partnered with a number of major food companiesto trial the Forager platform. This includes a multi-phased partnership with Danone North America to find previously unknown health benefits of plant-based ingredients in Danone’s consumer products portfolio. David Russell of Lewis & Clark AgriFood and Elaine Leavenworth, former SVP, and chief marketing and external affairs officer at Abbott, will join Brightseed’s board of directors. Jim Flatt, Brightseed co-founder and CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to work with visionary partners to accelerate innovation in food, health, and wellness. “We’re in an unprecedented public health crisis, and people are looking for plant-based products that will contribute to a healthier life. With millions of phytonutrients hidden in plants, it’s crucial that we discover these compounds and understand how they help us. “Much like mapping the human genome opened up a new era for medicine, using Forager AI to map the connections between plants and people is one of the most exciting new frontiers of science.” Elaine Leavenworth, added: “Brightseed’s Forager AI is leading the search for natural phytonutrients that will provide dramatic health benefits. “Given today’s health crises this has even greater urgency. Brightseed has the strong support of their investors and advisors as they move forward on this path.” #AI #Brightseed #ingredients #phytonutrients

Phytolon has raised $4.1 million in funding to commercialise its fermentation-based technology for the production of food colours. The Israel-based company was founded in 2018 following a collaboration between The Trendlines Group and the Weizmann Institute of Science. Phytolon claims that the use of natural food colours – in growing demand – has presented a ‘huge challenge’ for the food industry, due to the lack of reliable alternatives to synthetics. The company uses a proprietary, fermentation-based technology to produce ‘high-quality’ plant-based food colours. “This round will enable us to reach the market with our healthy and sustainable food colours that offer a high-quality and cost-efficient solution to the food industry,” said Phytolon CEO, Dr. Halim Jubran. “The new round will also promote our collaborations with our potential clients, with whom we have been in communications during the past year and a half.” Among the participants in the round were European food innovation initiative, EIT Food, and Millennium Food-Tech, a new R&D partnership dedicated to investing in food-tech companies. Chanan Schneider, CEO of Millennium Food-Tech, said: “It is clear to us that consumers are looking for products with more natural and healthier ingredients and are even willing to pay a premium for them. Phytolon brings a patented solution, perfect for the food colour sector, and has garnered a lot of interest in its technology and products.” Consensus Business Group, The Trendlines Group, former Elbit Systems CEO Yossi Ackerman, and the Israel Innovation Authority also backed Phytolon’s latest financing push. "We are extremely pleased that the company, managed by Dr. Halim Jubran, secured this over-subscribed round in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Trendlines Incubators Israel CEO, Barak Singer. “We look forward to the commercialisation of its technology to provide healthier, more ecological and cost-effective colouring to the food technology market."

California-based company Cedarlane Foods has expanded its Simply Plant Powered line with four new frozen vegan entrees. Vegan Lasagna features organic pasta, vine-ripened tomatoes, vegan beefless crumbles and vegan mozzarella-style cheese. Each serving is said to contain 10g of protein. Also containing 10g of protein per serving, Cedarlane Foods’ new enchilada entrees feature black beans, roasted red peppers and zucchini, as well as vegan cheeses, all wrapped in corn tortillas. Vegan Enchiladas in Green Sauce are topped with a tomatillo sauce; Enchiladas in Red Sauce are topped with a vine-ripened tomato sauce. Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie offers a ‘twist on the classic dish’, with lentils, carrots and green beans topped with creamy mash. According to Cedarlane Foods, each serving contains 25g of protein. “As veterans in providing consumers with easy, convenient, and most importantly, clean, food options for nearly four decades, we know our health-conscious consumers are always looking for new products that not only taste great, but provide unparalleled nutritional benefits,” said Cedarlane Foods CEO, Robert Atallah. “We’ve been championing the importance of a diet rich in vegetables since our founding, and are proud to continue providing families and individuals with a diverse new variety of delicious, nourishing options you can prepare in just minutes.” The new products are available from Sprouts Markets nationwide, with a roll out to additional grocers expected to follow later this year. #CedarlaneFoods #US

Brightseed, the developer of an AI-powered phytonutrient discovery solution, has raised $27 million in a funding round led by Lewis & Clark AgriFood. Founded in 2017, Brightseed has developed Forager, an AI solution that can reportedly search for undiscovered compounds in plants which provide proven health benefits, as well as searching for new benefits in existing plant-based products and ingredients. In humans, phytonutrients such as lycopene and resveratrol support health by boosting anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and neuroprotective activities. Brightseed claims that this latest investment follows Forager's "discovery of a powerful phytonutrient" with the potential to support metabolic health, helping those at risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, liver diseases and weight management issues. This new financing round means Brightseed has now raised $52 million in total funding, after factoring in the $25 million raised in previous a funding round led by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, Horizons Ventures, CGC Ventures, Fifty Years, Germin8 Ventures, and AgFunder. Brightseed has partnered with a number of major food companiesto trial the Forager platform. This includes a multi-phased partnership with Danone North America to find previously unknown health benefits of plant-based ingredients in Danone’s consumer products portfolio. David Russell of Lewis & Clark AgriFood and Elaine Leavenworth, former SVP, and chief marketing and external affairs officer at Abbott, will join Brightseed’s board of directors. Jim Flatt, Brightseed co-founder and CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to work with visionary partners to accelerate innovation in food, health, and wellness. “We’re in an unprecedented public health crisis, and people are looking for plant-based products that will contribute to a healthier life. With millions of phytonutrients hidden in plants, it’s crucial that we discover these compounds and understand how they help us. "Much like mapping the human genome opened up a new era for medicine, using Forager AI to map the connections between plants and people is one of the most exciting new frontiers of science.” Elaine Leavenworth, added: “Brightseed’s Forager AI is leading the search for natural phytonutrients that will provide dramatic health benefits. “Given today’s health crises this has even greater urgency. Brightseed has the strong support of their investors and advisors as they move forward on this path.”

California-based company Cedarlane Foods has expanded its Simply Plant Powered line with four new frozen vegan entrees. Vegan Lasagna features organic pasta, vine-ripened tomatoes, vegan beefless crumbles and vegan mozzarella-style cheese. Each serving is said to contain 10g of protein. Also containing 10g of protein per serving, Cedarlane Foods’ new enchilada entrees feature black beans, roasted red peppers and zucchini, as well as vegan cheeses, all wrapped in corn tortillas. Vegan Enchiladas in Green Sauce are topped with a tomatillo sauce; Enchiladas in Red Sauce are topped with a vine-ripened tomato sauce. Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie offers a 'twist on the classic dish’, with lentils, carrots and green beans topped with creamy mash. According to Cedarlane Foods, each serving contains 25g of protein. “As veterans in providing consumers with easy, convenient, and most importantly, clean, food options for nearly four decades, we know our health-conscious consumers are always looking for new products that not only taste great, but provide unparalleled nutritional benefits,” said Cedarlane Foods CEO, Robert Atallah. “We’ve been championing the importance of a diet rich in vegetables since our founding, and are proud to continue providing families and individuals with a diverse new variety of delicious, nourishing options you can prepare in just minutes.” The new products are available from Sprouts Markets nationwide, with a roll out to additional grocers expected to follow later this year.

Beyond Meat has announced that it is launching Beyond Meatballs in grocery stores in the US this week. Pre-seasoned with a signature blend of Italian spices, the ready-to-cook balls can be enjoyed as part of a pasta or soup dish, on a pizza, or in a sandwich. The company says that Beyond Meatballs are made from simple ingredients and are free from GMOs, soy, gluten or synthetic ingredients. With 19g of plant-based protein derived from peas and brown rice, the ‘nutritious’ meat-free balls are said to contain no cholesterol, antibiotics or hormones. Sold in the fresh meat section of grocery stores, Beyond Meatballs reportedly have a ‘juicy, meaty’ taste and texture. According to Beyond Meat, the plant-based balls contain 30% less saturated fat and sodium compared to a leading brand of animal-based Italian-style meatballs. “We’re thrilled to introduce Beyond Meatballs as they deliver on consumers’ growing demand for delicious and nutritious plant-based meat options without GMOs or synthetic ingredients,” said Stuart Kronauge, chief marketing officer at Beyond Meat. “We are proud to introduce our newest innovation at retailers nationwide and know our fans will be excited about the great taste and convenience of Beyond Meatballs.” With an RRP of $6.99 for 12 meatballs, Beyond Meatballs will be available at grocery stores including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger and Albertsons by early October. Beyond Meatballs are the third new retail product introduced by the company in 2020, following the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage and Cookout Classic. #BeyondMeat #meatalternatives #US

Beyond Meat has announced that it is launching Beyond Meatballs in grocery stores in the US this week. Pre-seasoned with a signature blend of Italian spices, the ready-to-cook balls can be enjoyed as part of a pasta or soup dish, on a pizza, or in a sandwich. The company says that Beyond Meatballs are made from simple ingredients and are free from GMOs, soy, gluten or synthetic ingredients. With 19g of plant-based protein derived from peas and brown rice, the ‘nutritious’ meat-free balls are said to contain no cholesterol, antibiotics or hormones. Sold in the fresh meat section of grocery stores, Beyond Meatballs reportedly have a ‘juicy, meaty’ taste and texture. According to Beyond Meat, the plant-based balls contain 30% less saturated fat and sodium compared to a leading brand of animal-based Italian-style meatballs. “We’re thrilled to introduce Beyond Meatballs as they deliver on consumers’ growing demand for delicious and nutritious plant-based meat options without GMOs or synthetic ingredients,” said Stuart Kronauge, chief marketing officer at Beyond Meat. “We are proud to introduce our newest innovation at retailers nationwide and know our fans will be excited about the great taste and convenience of Beyond Meatballs.” With an RRP of $6.99 for 12 meatballs, Beyond Meatballs will be available at grocery stores including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger and Albertsons by early October. Beyond Meatballs are the third new retail product introduced by the company in 2020, following the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage and Cookout Classic.

Snack and appetiser brand Farm Rich has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of two new products: Breaded Zucchini Sticks and Cauliflower Bites. Providing ‘healthy and easy’ snack alternatives, the products join Farm Rich’s Garden Inspirations line of frozen, plant-based foods. Breaded Cauliflower Bites feature whole cauliflower florets rolled in a wheat flour and crispy rice coating, and come with a sweet sesame dipping sauce. The bites offer a quarter cup of cauliflower per serving, according to Farm Rich. The brand’s new Breaded Zucchini Sticks feature zucchini slices in a savoury coating, with a ‘tangy’ marinara sauce for dipping. The sticks can be enjoyed as an appetiser or side, as well as for a snack. “The response to our first Garden Inspirations products…was so positive, and we’re excited to expand the line with these new vegetable products,” said Ciera Womack, Farm Rich senior marketing manager. “No matter what diet you follow – vegetarian, flexitarian or, as we like to say, ‘snackitarian’ – this innovative new line gives shoppers more plant-based options to enjoy at ease from the comfort of home.” The new bites and sticks are available in the US, priced at around $7.99, from Kroger and online via Instacart. At the end of last year, Farm Rich launched a line of microwavable single-serve snacks with custom dipping sauces, Time Outs. #FarmRich #US

Snack and appetiser brand Farm Rich has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of two new products: Breaded Zucchini Sticks and Cauliflower Bites. Providing ‘healthy and easy’ snack alternatives, the products join Farm Rich’s Garden Inspirations line of frozen, plant-based foods. Breaded Cauliflower Bites feature whole cauliflower florets rolled in a wheat flour and crispy rice coating, and come with a sweet sesame dipping sauce. The bites offer a quarter cup of cauliflower per serving, according to Farm Rich. The brand’s new Breaded Zucchini Sticks feature zucchini slices in a savoury coating, with a ‘tangy’ marinara sauce for dipping. The sticks can be enjoyed as an appetiser or side, as well as for a snack. “The response to our first Garden Inspirations products…was so positive, and we're excited to expand the line with these new vegetable products,” said Ciera Womack, Farm Rich senior marketing manager. “No matter what diet you follow – vegetarian, flexitarian or, as we like to say, 'snackitarian' – this innovative new line gives shoppers more plant-based options to enjoy at ease from the comfort of home.” The new bites and sticks are available in the US, priced at around $7.99, from Kroger and online via Instacart. At the end of last year, Farm Rich launched a line of microwavable single-serve snacks with custom dipping sauces, Time Outs.

Los Angeles-based wellness company Four Sigmatic has expanded its Plant-based Protein line with the launch of a new flavour, sweet vanilla. Four Sigmatic’s latest offering features 18g of ‘sustainably sourced’ pure vegan protein, 1000mg of functional mushrooms, and 500mg of adaptogens. Each scoop reportedly has a balanced amino acid profile from five organic plant proteins: pea, hemp, pumpkin and chia seeds, as well as coconut. Sweet vanilla joins unflavoured, peanut butter and creamy cacao variants in Four Sigmatic’s Plant-based Protein range. Each flavour is now available in 15-serving canisters, as well as boxes of ten single-serve packets. Four Sigmatic claims that the entire line is third-party lab tested for pesticides and heavy metals, as well as being free from grains, gums, soy or other fillers. “Our focus at Four Sigmatic is to create products that upgrade daily habits and ultimately help people better handle the overwhelming demands of modern living,” said Tero Isokauppila, founder and CEO of Four Sigmatic. “Our Plant-based Protein is a delicious vegan protein with immune support we developed for people who struggle to trust the ingredients and sourcing of current protein powders on the market, but still need the ‘one-and-done’ effect of convenient, clean and delicious plant-based nutrition to help them perform at their best.” Four Sigmatic’s vegan protein is available via the company’s website, from US retailers including select Whole Foods locations and from tomorrow, on Amazon and Thrive Market. The ten-packet boxes have an SRP of $40, and the 15-serving canisters a $50 SRP. Earlier this year, Four Sigmatic introduced a line of ‘wellness’ shots with functional mushrooms and adaptogens. #FourSigmatic #plantbasedprotein #US

Los Angeles-based wellness company Four Sigmatic has expanded its Plant-based Protein line with the launch of a new flavour, sweet vanilla. Four Sigmatic’s latest offering features 18g of ‘sustainably sourced’ pure vegan protein, 1000mg of functional mushrooms, and 500mg of adaptogens. Each scoop reportedly has a balanced amino acid profile from five organic plant proteins: pea, hemp, pumpkin and chia seeds, as well as coconut. Sweet vanilla joins unflavoured, peanut butter and creamy cacao variants in Four Sigmatic’s Plant-based Protein range. Each flavour is now available in 15-serving canisters, as well as boxes of ten single-serve packets. Four Sigmatic claims that the entire line is third-party lab tested for pesticides and heavy metals, as well as being free from grains, gums, soy or other fillers. “Our focus at Four Sigmatic is to create products that upgrade daily habits and ultimately help people better handle the overwhelming demands of modern living,” said Tero Isokauppila, founder and CEO of Four Sigmatic. “Our Plant-based Protein is a delicious vegan protein with immune support we developed for people who struggle to trust the ingredients and sourcing of current protein powders on the market, but still need the ‘one-and-done’ effect of convenient, clean and delicious plant-based nutrition to help them perform at their best.” Four Sigmatic’s vegan protein is available via the company’s website, from US retailers including select Whole Foods locations and from tomorrow, on Amazon and Thrive Market. The ten-packet boxes have an SRP of $40, and the 15-serving canisters a $50 SRP. Earlier this year, Four Sigmatic introduced a line of ‘wellness’ shots with functional mushrooms and adaptogens.

Conscious Chocolate has added a new sugar-free Pure Dark bar that is made with 100% cacao to its portfolio of vegan chocolate. The UK brand’s latest offering will join Conscious Chocolate’s portfolio of bars – such as Citrus Zest, Goji & Coconut, and Peppermint – and snacks including chocolate orange figs and salted chocolate dates. Like others in its line-up, the new bar is organic and free-from gluten, dairy and soya. Conscious Chocolate’s Pure Dark is a single-origin chocolate bar made with premium Peruvian cacao. It is described as having a fully-balanced strong flavour without an overpowering bitterness. “Bursting with raw goodness”, the chocolate is said to offer the taste of every part of the cocoa bean. Conscious Chocolate’s new product coincides with the release of its first recipe ebook which contains a collection of vegan chocolate recipes to create using its flavours; including cakes, shakes and alcoholic cocktails. It also comes after the brand launched a work-from-home care package in partnership with The Raw Chocolate Company during lockdown and a Rainbow Collection with proceeds going to Pride in London. From 13 September, Conscious Chocolate’s Pure Dark bar will be available to purchase at Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Infinity Foods, Revital and online across the UK. Last year, the brand showcased its rebranded look featuring fully compostable and recyclable packaging made by Qualvis. #ConsciousChocolate #UK #veganchocolate