The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter

Who trusts and distrusts gene-edited foods? New study gauges public acceptance

Through CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies, researchers and developers are poised to bring dozens—if not hundreds—of new products to grocery stores with claims of benefits: mushrooms with longer shelf lives, drought-resistant corn and bananas impervious to a fungus threatening the global supply. A few, including a soybean variety that produces a supposedly healthier cooking oil, […]

Gene editing hamsters induced the opposite effect from predictions—creating enraged “bullies”

Gene editing can turn your beloved hamster from a Dr. Jekyll to a Mr./Mrs. Hyde. That alone shows the potency of the genetic manipulation tool—but even scarier is that the researchers who used it on hamsters had strongly expected the opposite result. University of Georgia scientists used the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool to remove a […]

Upcycled food products surge, boosted by consumers’ food waste concerns

Consumers are ardently supporting ventures minimizing food waste, with 62% willing to pay more for food and beverages produced from upcycling. That interest has spawned launches of products with upcycled ingredients—a 122% compound annual growth rate for the five years ending Third Quarter 2021, outpacing recycled plastic products and products claiming carbon emissions. With 40% […]

Gene editing proposal: Modify hens to kill male chicks before they hatch

Israeli scientists have presented a concept patent to use CRISP/Cas gene editing technology to produce modified chickens disallowing male offspring to hatch. The proposal is being touted as “more humane” because young male chicks from laying hens are currently slaughtered in the egg and chicken meat industries—being unsuitable for either industry. Dr. Michael Antoniou and […]

Grain Processing Corporation acquires Natural Products, Inc.

Muscatine, Iowa-based Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) has purchased Grinnell, Iowa-based Natural Products, Inc. (NPI). NPI produces full-fat soy ingredients made from non-GMO or certified organic soybeans. It also processes chickpeas, oats, and other grains and beans. “Consumers today want transparency, pristine quality, and assurance their food is healthy and made to the highest quality standards,” […]