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Future food
The latest game-changing future food and drink trends and innovations, covering news, features and reviews. Verdict covers everything from novel cocktails and transformative dishes to the latest products and dining experiences, as well as the future food trends emerging today. Whether you’re a serious foodie, drinks fan or simply love a good meal, we’ve got you covered.
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2 Dec
Genetically modified rice project nets $15m to engineer climate change-resistant strain
A genetically modified rice research project that is currently underway at Oxford University has attracted $15m funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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18 Nov
A light recipe for the future of fish farming
Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, has confirmed today that it has introduced its underwater lighting solutions for fish farms into the South American market, partnering with Australis Seafoods in Chile after several years of development, as the main provider of aquaculture LED lighting for its salmon fisheries.
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30 Oct
Heston Blumenthal enters the foodtech foray as robotic restaurant advisor
British Michelin starred chef Heston Blumenthal has for the first time got involved in the foodtech startup world by joining robotics restaurant developer Karakuri as a board advisor.
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21 Oct
Lab-grown meat breakthrough brings realistic food texture a step closer
Scientists have brought the goal of commercially available lab-grown meat a step closer by successfully growing cow and rabbit muscles on edible scaffolds in order to mimic the texture and consistency of real meat.
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9 Oct
This company has 3D printed artificial beef in space
Food-tech startup Aleph Farms has developed a way to produce artificial beef in space using 3D bioprinting technology.
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7 Oct
Genome-edited bull success raises hopes of genetic engineering as animal welfare solution
Scientists have published the results of a study where a genome-edited bull successfully passed on its new genetic trait to its offspring – demonstrating the potential use of genetic engineering in livestock.
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29 Aug
World’s first hydrogen-powered gin distillery nets UK government funding
The UK government is investing in a project to convert an existing craft gin distillery so that is powered by hydrogen, as part of a slew of funding in low-carbon technology projects.
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29 Aug
F1’s Lewis Hamilton launches Neat Burger, the first international vegan burger chain
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has teamed up with hospitality organisation The Cream Group to launch the world’s first international, plant-based burger chain, Neat Burger.
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29 Jul
Smartphone plant disease detector speeds up crop diagnosis
Researchers have created a portable device that farmers can attach to a smartphone to identify plant diseases while in the field.
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26 Jul
Boris Johnson wants to turn the UK in a GM crops haven. Can it work?
In his first speech as UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson laid out his vision for post-Brexit Britain, and while there were many predictable points, the issue of GM crops made an unexpected appearance.
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24 Jul
Robotic bar opens in Milan to “empower” city’s drinkers
A robotic bar has opened in Milan, Italy, that is designed to introduce people to the world of industrial robotics and how it can benefit them.
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22 Jul
Smart irrigation could save water by predicting rainfall
More than 70% of freshwater is currently used for agriculture, and considering that just 3% of the water on Earth is drinkable, this is a valuable resource.
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8 Jul
Plant DNA editing breakthrough vital to future food supply
For the first time in history, researchers have successfully edited mitochondrial plant DNA in a move that has significant positive repercussions for future food security.
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3 Jul
Lab-grown meat acceptance is possible, but only if marketed right
Cultured or lab-grown meat has the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the food industry, but only if consumers are willing to eat it.
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1 Jul
Millennials are key to the acceptance of edible insects in the West
Millennials and Generation Z should be targeted by companies looking to establish edible insects as a key food source in Western countries, according to research published today.
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24 Jun
Extra virgin olive oil is now on the blockchain
Olive oil producer Caroli has partnered with blockchain supply chain solution provider Blocksyte to put its extra virgin olive oil on the blockchain.
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24 May
Can technology make vegan pet food a reality?
The increasing awareness on the environmental, personal health and ethical arguments for reducing meat consumption has lead to an increase in the number of vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians.
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15 May
Saltwater crop technology to bring food security to the Middle East
An agritech startup is aiming to solve the growing issue of Middle Eastern food security with a technology driven solution for growing crops using saltwater.
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10 May
Meat the revolution: Are we witnessing the decline of meat eating?
It’s universally recognised that our hunger for meat has a direct environmental effect.
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9 May
Meet the Ocado-backed robotics startup bringing hyper-personalisation to restaurants
Robots could soon be a common sight in restaurant and café kitchens thanks to Karakuri, a British robotics startup making it possible to provide custom food on an unprecedented scale.
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7 May
Milk sensor ‘smells’ spoiled milk so you don’t have to
Many have long trusted the ‘sniff test’ to determine if milk has gone off, but soon technology could take care of that for you. Researchers have developed a milk sensor that can detect – or ‘smell’ – if milk has spoiled.
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25 Feb
MIT nanotech makes plant genetic engineering “universal”
MIT researchers have developed a genetic tool that uses nanotechnology to improve plant genetic engineering in a bid to improve resistance to tough conditions, such as drought or fungal infections.
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22 Feb
Biochemical modification could aid more resilient crops
Scientists have shown how plants can be modified to respond to their environment, aiding the development of crops that are more resilient in high-stress conditions.
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19 Feb
Time to turn vegan, as lab meat not a better alternative to farming
Lab-grown meat may not be the viable alternative to farming that loyal meat-eaters have hoped for, with the process creating even more greenhouse gases.
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22 Jan
Cricket protein crisps: Changing food culture, one bug bear at a time
“The interesting thing about crickets is that with animals you can only eat a small percentage of them, but with crickets, there are benefits in the whole thing – you can eat it whole.” Chirps, a cricket-based crisp and protein powder maker from the US is on a mission to change attitudes in the Western
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21 Jan
The future of food: What you’ll really be eating in 2029
A decade is a long time when it comes to the future of food.
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8 Jan
Genetically modified spicy tomatoes could lead to cheaper pain relief
Scientists are trying to create genetically modified spicy tomatoes in the hope of mass-producing the spice molecule found in chilli peppers – something that could, in turn, lead to cheaper over the counter pain relief.
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8 Jan
Impossible Burger plant-based meat upgrade to “eliminate the need for animals in the food chain”
Impossible Foods has announced the first major upgrade to its plant-based Impossible Burger that is designed to lure meat eaters away from animal-based meat by providing a near-perfect replica.
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3 Jan
Fighting food waste: Mobile food scanner is the kitchen gadget of the future
A mobile food scanner that determines whether fresh products are still safe to eat is set to become a common sight in the kitchens of the future due to its ability to combat food waste.
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24 Dec
How to get to sleep on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day can be exciting or stressful, but whether you are the designated chef and cooking up a feast, or plan to be busy opening presents, eating chocolates and watching favourite movies, you will benefit from a good sleep the night before.