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The ongoing inaction by the US Food and Drug Administration over CBD (cannabidiol) in foods and dietary supplements is having a negative impact on trademark laws, says an industry lawyer.

As consumers increasingly seek out sustainable and wellness-focused products, Walmart has created a dedicated online shopping destination to help consumers discover products considered to be better for their personal health and better for the environment.

Supply chain challenges exacerbated by the pandemic have bolstered consumer interest in buying local to better support farmers, ensure product quality and reduce environmental impact, but many do not want to sacrifice the savings or year-around variety that global supply chains offer.

Fueled by its ultra-scalable, modular farm system, indoor farming startup Square Roots has recently acclerated its retail presence where the company aims to disrupt the packaged salad mix category with its unique blend of baby and micro greens.

Plant based meat brand Tofurky has teamed up with San Diego-based Triton Algae Innovations to commercialize new âalgae-based meat innovationsâ featuring Tritonâs protein-rich Non-GMO âessential red' algae for retail launch in Q1, 2022.

While many parents say that their family has eaten more healthily since the start of the pandemic, one in five parents reports relying more heavily on fast food as a quick fix family meal option, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Childrenâs Hospital National Poll on Childrenâs Health.

As the popularity of oat milk continues to rise in the US, so too do the number of players â but by taking an âoat milk for all approach,â that includes a lower average price point, more inclusive distribution strategy and aggressive sampling program, Planet Oat says it has secured the No. 1 share position in the category with a 3% household penetration.

Venture capital firm Lever VC has completed final close of Lever VC Fund I, with $80m raised to back early stage plant-based and cell-cultured meat and dairy companies around the world.

Iron Ox â one of a flurry of high-tech indoor farming startups attracting significant interest from agtech investors in recent years â has closed a $53m series C round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (taking its cumulative funding to $98m) to help fund a 535,000sq ft facility in Lockhart, Texas, due to become operational later this year.

Startup Aqua Cultured Foods is carving out novel territory in the nascent alternative seafood space with a Non-GMO fermentation-based production platform capable of delivering high-protein, nutrient-rich âwhole cutsâ of fungi-based seafood, with the first products - whole cut calamari and popcorn shrimp - set to launch on a small scale in the foodservice market in 2022.

Eat Justâs cell-cultured meat division GOOD Meat has secured an additional $97m on top of the $170m announced in May, bringing its overall fundraise to $267m, the largest to date in the nascent sector.

Nestlà has launched a Sustainability Promise to advance regenerative food systems at scale.

A keen empathy for consumers, a deep commitment to innovation and an open-door approach to collaboration helped the founder of Nissin Foods not only capture the hearts of billions of people when he invented instant noodles, but also helped build and sustain two iconic brands that are just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago when they launched.

Berkeley-based startup Perfect Day has underscored its sustainability credentials with the release of an expanded lifecycle assessment suggesting its ânon-animalâ whey protein - produced by microbes, not cows â has a dramatically lower environmental footprint than animal-derived whey protein.

PepsiCo has unveiled a new data platform dubbed âpepvizâ enabling it to collaborate with retail partners to develop a more granular, targeted, and âhyperlocalâ approach to product assortment, digital marketing and inventory management that has already delivered measurable results.

While pantry stocking and increased consumer demand for food consumed at home pushed up same store sales 15.8% for most food retailers in 2020, margins remained tight as new pandemic-related expenses and higher credit/debit card, healthcare and new technology costs ate into profits, according to new research from FMI â The Food Industry Association.

Sophieâs Kitchen has secured a $5.6m investment led by venture capital firm Billy Goat Brands to help it expand its plant-based seafood empire, which now extends into multiple categories including âtoona,â crab cakes, fish filets, smoked salmon, and shrimp.

For the co-founders of the better-for-you Asian American food startup immi, the most exciting part of closing their seed fundraise wasnât the $3.8m that will help them relaunch an improved version of their low-carb, high-protein, plant-based instant ramen â it was connecting with a diverse set of investors who could help the new brand break into the mainstream.

Givaudan, BÃhler and Migros have formed a new company, The Cultured Food Innovation Hub, with the aim of accelerating the development and market penetration of cellular agriculture.

Food tech company ENOUGH broke ground on what it says will be the âworldâs largestâ fermented protein facility today (16 September). When fully operational the site will have the capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes of mycoprotein ingredient ABUNDA per annum.