TORONTO — Cult Food Science Corp., an investment platform accelerating the development of cellular agriculture technologies, is expanding its operations with the launch of Cult Foods, a new products division focused on developing and commercializing cell-based food and beverage items.
The new division will launch two products, Zero Coffee and Free Candy, in collaboration with Cult Food Science’s affiliate companies. Zero Coffee is the “world’s first sparkling coffee beverage made with cell-based coffee,” according to the company. The canned beverage eliminates the unsustainable land use and deforestation that results from conventional coffee bean farming.
Free Candy is a performance gummy made with cell-based collagen. It is produced without the harmful environmental and ethical issues associated with animal farming, said Joshua Errett, vice president of product development at Cult Food Science
“The products that bring us so much joy — an afternoon coffee or sweet snack — so often rely on environmentally harmful ingredients,” Mr. Errett said. “Cult Foods is providing a sustainable alternative with its Zero Coffee and Free Candy products, making the joy of coffee or candy truly guilt-free.”
Cult Food Science has built a portfolio of 18 early-stage cellular agriculture companies, including cultured coffee company Compound Foods and cultured Honey company MeliBio, plus a range of cultured meat, dairy, protein and seafood makers.
In addition to owning equity, the investments provide Cult Food Science with the ability to work alongside its affiliate companies to develop cellular agriculture products and brands that are ready for store shelves, said Lejjy Gafour, chief executive officer.
“There are many products that depend on animal agriculture for key elements of their production,” Mr. Gafour said. “It is not only staple products such as meat that will be reinvented through cellular agriculture, but the over $50 billion auxiliary market, such as coffee beans and collagen. Many of the key ingredients you see on grocery store shelves today can be replaced through cell-based methods and are already being produced by Cult affiliate companies. These products represent a massive opportunity for Cult Food Science to bring interesting new food experiences to consumers. With every product that is released, it brings us one step closer to reducing the impact food production has on our climate.”
