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The Impact of Science to Create a Movement; the Case of Fooditive, Pioneer in Plant-Based Upcycled Ingredients

ROTTERDAM, June 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The challenging year 2020 saw the blossoming of plant–based ingredient manufacturer Fooditive BV, a Dutch company set on revolutionising healthy eating. Through upcycling third – grade and side–streams of fruit and vegetables into 100% natural products, it has created one of the keys to a more sustainable future. It all started with a Jordanian man and his hate for waste and want for change.

Having experienced scarce availability of food during his childhood in Jordan, founder and food scientist Moayad Abushokhedim vowed to create healthy and affordable food for all.

Packed with a strong food science and business background, he developed his own unique process of creating affordable plant–based ingredients, simply using the science of fermentation.

In recognition of his drive for success in the food and beverage industry, Abushokhedim was named as one of the Food100 2020, an award that celebrates changemakers who are working towards transitioning to a sustainable food system.

"For a Jordanian guy like me, who cannot believe he is living his dream of changing the world, receiving this award made me realise that if you can dream it, you can achieve it. And it reminded me that I am not alone in this endeavour because there are so many others in the world who believe in making a difference," said Moayad Abushokhedim.

Fooditive's first product, the game–changing zero–calorie sweetener made from apples and pears, was only just the beginning. Since launching the sweetener, the company has expanded its range of creative products, including a thickening agent made from banana skins, a carrot–based preservative, and an emulsifier made from potato extracts.

The innovation behind Fooditive's products and its dedication to delivering what consumers deserve have led to the company being nominated for the Foodvalley Champions 2020 award in the category Food & Health. The new collaboration with Frutco AG in Switzerland, which will use Fooditive's unique continuous fermentation process to produce a sweetener from banana side–streams, is the company's latest step towards making the world greener and more sustainable.

As pioneers of healthy eating, Fooditive's actions have also a–peel–ed to Gary Clarke, former general manager of Mars International Travel Retail. With more than 20 years of consumer packaged goods experience, Clarke felt that "as a next step, joining Fooditive as a partner seemed like such an obvious thing to do."

"When I learned about Fooditive's approach to developing a circular economy and producing foods that are better for you, I really thought they were leading the charge to evolve the food industry. I believe that Fooditive really can drive the industry to a new future for food. One that is not only good for people but also good for the planet, and should we be able to scale this idea then the difference can be enormous", added Clarke.

Fooditive is currently funding up to 6.5M for the year of 2021 to revolutionize the plant–based food business and create healthy and affordable food for everyone.

Later this year, the company will share its exciting new products, a healthy fat replacer from avocado seeds and a vegan milk formation from peas, so be sure to keep an eye out for Fooditive.

Now that it is backed by even more committed partners and equipped with un–pear–alleled competitively priced ingredients, the Fooditive fever is catching on and inspiring others along the way to think more about what they eat.

About Fooditive BV

In 2018, the plant–based ingredient manufacturer Fooditive BV was established in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The company is committed to making healthy food available for all with its 100% natural ingredients. Since its launch, Fooditive has received several awards for its innovative ideas, sustainable approaches, and contributions to a circular economy, including being nominated for the Index Award 2021.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000508665)

IFG Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IFG, the world's top fruit–breeding and licensing company widely recognized for inventing the Cotton Candy and Sweet Globe grapes, has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. IFG is renowned worldwide for its innovative fruit–breeding programs that have changed the way consumers and retailers think and experience grapes and other fruits, and through the company's unique offerings of flavor–forward fruit varieties and its global IP licensing program, IFG has transformed the fruit breeding industry in the short span of just 20 years.

Today, IFG boasts 45 patented grape and sweet cherry varieties, and its network of licensed growers extends to all corners of the globe with 1,344 licensees in 15 different countries. Additionally, the company has grown to 55 staff members globally.

"At IFG, we have three primary assets: our trademarks, our varieties, and our people," said IFG CEO Andy Higgins. "Without each of those assets, we would not be the company we are today. As an organization that has Intellectual Property, we are committed to protecting our trademarks, our varieties, and of course, supporting our people in their every success and we are proud of the tremendous advances we've made to the fruit–breeding industry over the years. Our talented team has worked tirelessly to execute this ambitious vision, and to see it all come together is quite rewarding."

IFG was established in 2001 by several of the most prominent names in the California grape industry: Jack Pandol of Grapery, the Stoller family of Sunridge Nurseries Inc. and world–famous horticulturist and fruit breeder Dr. David Cain. Under the direction of Dr. Cain, who recently retired, IFG spent the past 20 years focusing on creating table grape and sweet cherry varieties to fill unmet grower and consumer demands and in the process developed a team of committed professionals who are passionate about protecting IFG's clients all around the world.

"We have accomplished a lot during our first 20 years and we are excited for our future as IFG is positioned to continue advancing the industry," continued Higgins. "We are engaged and committed. Dr. Chris Owens, our lead plant breeder, is bringing new and more advanced technology to create more intriguing and exciting selections. We have much more in the pipeline as we plan to lead while staying true to our mission. The past many years have provided us a strong and profound foundation for greater success."

ABOUT IFG
IFG, headquartered in Bakersfield, California and founded in 2001, is one of the world's largest premium fruit–breeding companies. Its breeders, Drs. David Cain and Chris Owens develop new varieties of table grapes and cherries, which are patented and licensed to worldwide marketers and growers. IFG currently has licensees in 15 countries and its fruit is actively marketed in over 30 countries. For more information, visit www.ifg.world.

Media Contact:
Olivia Riley
Bastion Elevate
olivia@bastionelevate.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209172)

IFG Ends Successful IP Infringement Case in South Africa

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Feb. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — INTERNATIONAL FRUIT GENETICS LLC (IFG) After several years of sometimes acrimonious lawsuits, IFG has finally come to the end of infringement proceedings in which it sought to protect its proprietary grape varietals in the Western Cape, South Africa.

During 2010, IFG concluded a suite of licensing, planting, and marketing agreements with a table grape grower in Paarl, South Africa, as well as other associated farming entities. In terms of the agreements, the grower was licensed to plant, grow and market several IFG grape varieties in South Africa, which was done successfully over several years. However, during an inspection, IFG determined that this grower had unlawfully propagated some of the varietals beyond license limits and was growing and propagating an IFG varietal before protection for the variety was granted in South Africa. Upon further investigation, IFG determined that the grower had stolen a slip of the varietal from one of the IFG founder's vineyards in California while visiting and had transported it to South Africa, where it was grafted, propagated, and commercially grown.

Due to the growers' unlawful conduct, IFG canceled all of the agreements it had with the licensee and asked that the grower to cease all use of IFG's proprietary plant material and destroy all IFG proprietary plant material by cutting off all vines below the graft union. Unfortunately, the grower refused to do so, forcing IFG to take more drastic measures, including the freezing of bank accounts and contempt of court proceedings for failure to comply with the court's orders.

Ultimately, when it became clear to the grower that IFG was taking the necessary steps required to protect their intellectual property, the grower agreed and complied by cutting the vines below the graft union on all IFG varietals.

This case marks a stunning success for IFG and for all owners of plant breeders' rights, which are an extremely valuable form of intellectual property. Respect of these rights allows breeders globally to make the continued investments, ensuring that the table grape industry has a bright and vibrant future.

"It was a long road, and we are glad to come to the end of it, but we have no regrets," said Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG. "Our intellectual property rights are the heart of our business, and we need to protect them. We will not hesitate to take similar action in other parts of the world should there be a need to do so."

For more information, visit www.ifg.world

Media Contact:

Olivia Riley
Bastion Elevate
949–522–0549
olivia@bastionelevate.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8149504)

Biotalys Submits First Protein-Based Biocontrol Registration Package to the EPA

GHENT, Belgium and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Biotalys NV, a transformative food and crop protection company, announces that it has submitted its first protein–based biocontrol, Evoca, to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States for approval. Pending EPA registration, this biocontrol will offer U.S. fruit and vegetable growers a new way to combat major diseases to maximize yields and extend the shelf life after harvest of produce with substantially lower residues.

"Biotalys is thrilled to have begun the EPA registration process for its first product. While Evoca targets diseases like Botrytis cinerea and powdery mildew, we are leveraging the flexibility of our technology platform to advance a broad pipeline of products with new modes of action that will safely and reliably address key crop pests and diseases across the food value chain," commented Luc Maertens, COO of Biotalys.

Evoca will help growers effectively control key pathogens in the field, as well as in the food value chain to protect fruits and vegetables post harvest, extending shelf life and reducing decay and food loss. With its new mode of action and favourable safety profile, Evoca provides growers with additional rotational options to manage resistance in a more sustainable way.

The submission follows Biotalys' successful completion of an extensive field product development program and regulatory studies on Evoca. More than 200 field and greenhouse trials globally demonstrated high consistency in effective control of key pathogens in fruit and vegetables crops. With this submission and pending regulatory approvals, Biotalys is on track to introduce Evoca to select regions in the U.S. market in late 2022.

Biotalys will proceed with international registrations on its own, maintaining full ownership of all rights. Aligned with the go–to–market strategy for Evoca, the submission in the United States will be followed by a submission in the European Union. Major agricultural markets in Latin America and Asia are in scope for future registrations.

Evoca: Pending Registration. This product is not currently registered for sale or use in the United States and is not being offered for sale.

About Biotalys

Biotalys is a rapidly growing and transformative food and crop protection company developing a new generation of protein–based biocontrol solutions, shaping the future of sustainable and safe food supply. Based on its groundbreaking technology platform, Biotalys has developed a broad pipeline of effective and safe candidate products that aim to address key crop pests and diseases across the whole value chain, from soil to plate. Combining the high–performance characteristics and consistency of chemicals with the clean safety profile of biologicals, Biotalys goal is to provide ideal crop protection agents for both pre– and post–harvest applications. Based in the biotech cluster in Ghent, Belgium, Biotalys was founded in 2013 as a spin–off from the VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and has raised 61 million ($66m USD) to date from specialist international investors. More information can be found on www.biotalys.com.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8139195)