Pairwise Develops World’s First Seedless Blackberry
Pairwise, a company pioneering genetics-based innovation in food and agriculture, has developed the world’s first seedless blackberry. Created using the company’s proprietary Fulcrum Platform, a complete suite of novel tools for CRISPR application in plants, this is the first time seedlessness has been achieved in any caneberry.
“We are thrilled to share this breakthrough achievement from our talented R&D team. Pairwise scientists have used their deep knowledge of plant genetics, broad suite of CRISPR tools, and multiplex editing techniques to eliminate the hard pits in berry fruit, creating soft, small seeds like those found in grapes and watermelon that are commonly labeled as seedless,” said Ryan Bartlett, Pairwise chief technology officer. “The result is the first seedless blackberry in the world. We expect that this trait will not only transform the blackberry market, but it also lays the groundwork for accelerated progress in removing seeds and pits in many other fruits such as cherries.”
Recent innovations in produce have been rapidly adopted due to the significant benefits they provide consumers, such as improved flavor, consistency, and convenience.
“The berry variety we edited is consistently sweet year-round and holds up well during shipment; now, consumers will have the option to choose a nutritious blackberry without seeds that also reliably delivers great flavor and quality,” said Haven Baker, Pairwise co-founder and chief business officer. “Blackberries are a snackable fruit with significant health benefits; however, data indicates that more than 30 percent of berry buyers do not like the seeds, and many more do not even buy the fruit because of the seeds.”
In addition to creating the first seedless caneberry, Pairwise has successfully edited the same variety to eliminate thorns and create a more compact plant that delivers benefits for harvesters, growers and the environment. The thornless and compact traits enable more efficient fruit harvesting and improved productivity and profitability for growers. The new compact trait means the plants are smaller and can be planted at a higher density per acre. Early data from Pairwise-led trials indicate the potential to greatly increase yield per acre while necessitating only a minimal increase in inputs – meaning the water and land used per crate of fruit harvested decreases significantly.
“Our high-density compact and thornless traits contribute to a more sustainable food system. The absence of thorns and reduced height of the compact plants allow berry harvesters to better access the fruit and leave less on the plant, reducing food waste and further improving the growers’ economics. With the precision of CRISPR, we’re able to develop these thornless and compact traits without sacrificing consistency in flavor and quality for consumers,” said Baker. “We’re excited to advance these berries into the next phase of product development, including outdoor field trials, as we work toward scaling up and making them available to the public in a few years.”
“A key challenge in our food system is helping people eat more high-quality, healthy foods. As part of our drive to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, we’re working to provide consumers with new, highly nutritious food options with improved flavor and convenience,” said Tom Adams, Pairwise Co-Founder and CEO. “With a deep understanding of the plant genome, an accurate, efficient, and scalable process, and streamlined pathway to commercialization, we are not only creating new products with our proprietary CRISPR technology, we are creating a new era of innovation in agriculture.”
Learn more about Pairwise and its Fulcrum Platform here.
Pairwise is pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture. The company brings together leaders in agriculture, technology, and consumer foods to harness the transformative potential of new genomics technologies to create innovative new products. Pairwise is working to develop new varieties of crops, and to partner with organizations that seek to deliver innovation across the plant-based economy. Backed by industry leading investors Deerfield, Aliment Capital, Leaps by Bayer, and Temasek,
Pairwise raised $90 million in a successful series B funding round in February 2021, bringing total fundraising to $115 million. The company was founded by Chief Executive Officer Tom Adams and Chief Business Officer Haven Baker, with scientific co-founders J. Keith Joung, Lead Translator at Arena BioWorks; David Liu, Director of the Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, and Vice-Chair of the Faculty at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; and Feng Zhang, McGovern Investigator and a professor at MIT. For more information, visit Pairwise.com, and learn more about the differentiating Pairwise Fulcrum Platform here.
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Best Express Foods’ Gluten-Free Certification Yanked
The Gluten Intolerance Group’s Gluten-free Certification Organization has made the decision to withdraw certification from Best Express Foods, Inc., the umbrella company to Universal Bakery (BEF/Universal Baking), and the producer of Aussie Bites and other products. This decision comes after a thorough investigation in the United States and Canada of BEF/Universal Baking’s Aussie Bites following a safety alert that was issued on May 15, revealing positive test results for gluten in excess of the FDA threshold, according to the group.
“GFCO goes through an in-depth investigation process that includes consumer interviews, 3rd party testing, and requests for historical lot and ingredient testing every time that we receive a consumer complaint about a product,” says Channon Quinn, COO of the Gluten Intolerance Group. “Remedy of these situations requires meeting standards, supplying requested information, as well as fulfillment of contractual obligations surrounding product safety to remove non-compliant products from the marketplace. In this instance, BEF/Universal Baking failed to complete GFCO’s requirements to remedy, making the continuation of a certification relationship with the aforementioned company too high of a risk for both GFCO and the gluten-free public; therefore, we have withdrawn the certification of BEF/Universal Baking.”
“At this time, our facilities are not gluten-free certified,” Best Express Foods posted on its website.
“We provide full disclosure of additives in the ingredients list on all of our packaging. You will find that some of our products do not have added gluten, however, because gluten is airborne, we cannot formally state that our products are gluten-free.
“As the global understanding of gluten intolerances increases, we are working on creating a gluten-free certified facility for the future of our company, the company posted.
The product of concern, Aussie Bites, has been certified by GFCO since October 2022 and initially met the GFCO’s standards for gluten-free certification. Aussie Bites, sold within the United States and Canada, have been identified to contain an unsafe level of gluten for gluten-free consumers.
GFCO has withdrawn certification of the following brands and products produced by Best Express Foods:
Universal Bakery: Organic Aussie Bites, Organic Breakfast Energy Bars, Organic Paleo Bars, Organic Sunrise Energy Bars
SureLife Foods: Paleo Bars
Las Fortunitas: Corn Chips
Los Amigos: Corn Chips
GFCO’s requirements for gluten-free certification are designed to ensure that each product meets the highest safety standards. This comprehensive evaluation includes rigorous testing requirements, ingredient verification, and ongoing audits to maintain compliance. GFCO exists to protect the public. Companies who do not maintain the requirements of the certification or otherwise fail to adhere to their contractual obligations to GFCO are subject to having their certification revoked.
“The protection of the gluten-free community is our top priority, therefore we are taking decisive action to ensure gluten-free consumers’ safety,” stated Cynthia Kelly, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Consumers are encouraged to be vigilant and check product labels for the GFCO certification mark and report any questions or concerns about a product’s safety at https://gfco.org/contact/. GFCO will continue to work diligently to protect the gluten-free community and maintain the integrity of its certification process.
For more information and updates regarding this certification rescission, please visit the GFCO website at www.gfco.org.
The Gluten-free Certification Organization, a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group, is a leading certification program for gluten-free products. Established in 2005, GFCO provides independent verification and certification of over 65,000 gluten-free products, ensuring the safety and trust of consumers. With a rigorous certification process and ongoing surveillance, GFCO aims to protect the gluten-free community and promote the availability of safe gluten-free options. For more information, please visit www.gfco.org.
The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association funded by private donations, sponsorship opportunities, and food safety programs. It relies on tax-deductible contributions to support its many innovative industry, service, social, and awareness programs. GIG has been a highly respected leader in the gluten-free community since it was founded in 1974. In addition to more than 80 local support groups across the United States, GIG’s mission is make life easier for everyone living gluten-free and accomplishes that through consumer support, education, and its food safety initiatives.
The Gluten-Free Certification Organization, a program of GIG, is a leader in the verification of quality, integrity, and purity of gluten-free products. The Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) program is a proven model of established best practices for foodservice facilities offering gluten-free options. GIG is committed to ongoing food safety research to assure customers and consumers the highest level of excellence in its gluten-free programs and services. For more information, visit www.gluten.org.
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Crisp Power Healthy Pretzel Snack Launches in Select Costco Stores
Crisp Power, the latest launch from the snack innovators behind Dream Pretzel, is rolling out its healthy high-protein, low-carb pretzels in select Costco locations. Beginning June 1, the patent-pending pretzels will hit shelves to make snack time easier for Costco members starting with San Diego, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Denver and Utah with more to come. With this debut, now is the time to say goodbye to empty calorie snacks and deceptively sugary protein bars.With a large punch of protein in just one serving, Crisp Power makes snack time count. Crisp Power brings consumers a plant-based snack consisting of grains and legumes, with 15 grams of protein, 6 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of net carbohydrates and all nine necessary amino acids (BCAA) in one serving. These first-of-its-kind pretzels bring a more convenient and an even tastier option for protein consumption. While maintaining its status of being keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly, sugar-free and plant-based, the protein itself is a good source of protein certified by the FDA and is great for anyone looking to boost their daily protein consumption.
Crisp Power represents a new arena in the high-protein market where smart choices and incredible flavors come together to fuel the day, from the time folks start their workout, workday or weekend. With these new snacks, fitness lovers, busy moms, teens, tweens and every snacker in between gets a more convenient and tastier option for protein consumption. With no sugar at all, very few carbohydrates and no artificial flavors or fragrances, Crisp Power brings a high-quality protein that also contains all the necessary BCAAs for anyone looking to enrich their protein intake conveniently.
“After years of exploring and developing the perfect snack recipe that powers up the protein and dials down the carbs, we are overjoyed to finally introduce our delicious Crisp Power snack bags to Costco customers. Crisp Power’s patent-pending pretzels are irresistibly crunchy, deliciously versatile and full of both protein and fiber so our customers feel better with every bite,” said Gilad Zilberberg, founder, and CEO of Crisp Power.
Crisp Power is revolutionizing how simple it is to eat between meals with its Sea Salt, Sesame and Everything options. Every bite satisfies the craving for a savory treat yet empowers snackers to get what they need in a new way – beyond protein bars and power bites. Anyone can enjoy the power of the pretzel as a quick nosh straight out of the bag or paired with hummus, healthy dips and cheeses.
For those looking to grab a quick bite on the go, fuel up for a workout, or share with friends and family, Crisp Power is designed to fit seamlessly into everyday occasions. In the snack aisles often dominated by empty calorie options, Crisp Power aims to stand out as a beacon of health and flavor. Crisp Power is proud to introduce a product that challenges the norms of the snack aisle and offers a nutritious alternative. By entering the grocery shelves, the new protein pretzels will transform how people perceive snacks, showing that indulgence and health can coexist. Whether nestled among traditional snacks or highlighted in a health-focused section, Crisp Power is set to revolutionize snack time, offering a guilt-free, protein-rich choice for those in search of something better.
Costco shoppers can exclusively find Crisp Power’s unique value bags for this best-in-class better-for-you low-carb snack, for a total of 195 grams of protein per purchase; only 5 cents per gram!
Crisp Power is available at Costco in the San Diego Region while supplies last including stores in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah with plans to roll out nationwide.
For more information, visit crisppower.com.
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