What's Happening?
Michroma, a startup specializing in natural color production through fermentation, has partnered with South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang (CJCJ) to scale commercial manufacturing of its pigments. This collaboration will utilize CJCJ's biomanufacturing capabilities to ensure consistent supplies as demand for alternatives to synthetic dyes grows. Michroma's fungi-derived pigments offer heat- and pH-stable vibrant red colors, providing a sustainable solution to meet the increasing demand for natural dyes.
Why It's Important?
The partnership between Michroma and CJCJ represents a significant advancement in the production of natural food colors, addressing the need for sustainable and high-performance alternatives to synthetic dyes. As the FDA plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, the demand for natural options is expected to rise. Michroma's fermentation-based approach offers a scalable and efficient solution to meet this demand, potentially transforming the food color industry.
What's Next?
Michroma is preparing to file a color additive petition in the U.S. and aims to be competitive with natural options in terms of pricing. The company is focused on expanding its range of colors and enhancing performance through CRISPR technology. The collaboration with CJCJ may lead to further product development and optimization, as well as potential use of Michroma's ingredients by CJ Foods.
