I’m off to run my first ever half marathon this weekend in Portland, and looking forward to carbo-loading and that post-run endorphin rush. But before that, I’m excited to share this week’s roundup of food tech news with you. Here are some of the latest eye-catching stories from around the web, from GMO salmon to the best wine in the world:
Genetically engineered salmon to be grown in the U.S.
As of last Friday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) lifted an import ban and will now allow genetically engineered salmon eggs to be raised in the U.S. The eggs are made by AquaBounty Technologies, a company which alters the DNA of salmon so they grow more quickly. The FDA approved these GM salmon (known as AquAdvantage salmon) back in 2015, but has been tied up in debates around labeling until last week. The salmon are already available in Canada and could be on store shelves in the U.S. as early as 2020.
Photo: Karma.
Food waste startup expands operations to Paris
This week Karma, a Swedish food waste-fighting startup, launched in Paris. Karma has a mobile app which helps retailers — from restaurants to grocery stores — sell excess food to consumers at reduced prices. This is the third market for the startup, which, in addition to its home country of Sweden, also operates in London. Maybe they’ll bring their waste-reducing smart fridge to Parisian supermarkets next?
Photo: Vivino.
Vivino announces “best wine in the world”
Well, we’ve finally settled it. According to a press release from Vivino, the Danish wine information app/marketplace, the company has selected this year’s best wine in the world: a 2015 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine was the winner of Vivino’s 2019 Wine Style Awards, which selects wines based off of Vivino user ratings and feedback. The Awards also charted up-and-coming trends in wine, from new styles of bubbly wine to “evolving identities of American Chardonnay.”
Photo by dylan nolte on Unsplash.
Robots will help bring food to 2020 Tokyo Olympics spectators
It seems that not all of the eye-catching action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be in the field/track. According to an English version of Kyodo News, robots will be used at the Olympics and Paralympics to guide people to their seats, provide event information, and bring food and drinks to spectators after they place their orders on tablet computers. Developed by Toyota, the robots are around 1 meter tall (3.28 feet), have an articulating arm, and can move at 2.2 kilometers (1.36 miles) per hour.
Did we miss anything? Tweet us news updates @TheSpoonTech or send them to our tip line!
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