MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 22, 2018 (PRNewswire) — In continuing its innovation efforts in plant-based oils, Cargill's latest endeavor is a collaboration with Precision BioSciences. Together, the partners are using Precision's ARCUS genome-editing technology to further reduce saturated fat in canola oil, putting Cargill at the forefront of a next-generation innovation.
The new oil is intended for the quick-service restaurants and food ingredients industries, and products made with it — particularly fried foods — may be able to use front-of-package nutrient content claims on saturated fat levels, such as "Low in Saturated Fat" or "No Saturated Fat," depending on their overall nutritional profile. This continued innovation demonstrates Cargill's ongoing efforts to remain focused on consumer health benefits, especially as the USDA and Health and Human Services 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to limit saturated fat intake to 10 percent of their daily calories.
Cargill has a solid track record of gathering market insights to deliver first-to-market specialty canola oils, recently adding a lower saturate variety and another with long-chain omega-3s to its portfolio. This next generation of canola oil demonstrates Cargill's ongoing leadership in specialty oils, as it now aims to offer the lowest saturate level on the market – surpassing its latest high oleic canola oil, recently announced under the Clear Valley brand at 4.5 percent saturate levels.
"The partnership demonstrates our ongoing commitment to developing nutritious products for consumers, with the superior performance and sensory attributes that our customers have come to expect from Cargill's edible oils portfolio," said Lorin Debonte, Cargill research and development. "We continue to look for new ways to build upon our capabilities and innovate in a responsible way, and this collaboration was essential to making this discovery."
This commitment to saturated fat reduction led to Cargill's partnership with Precision BioSciences in 2014. Since then, the two companies have worked together to lower saturate levels in canola oil, leveraging Cargill's expertise in gene identification, and Precision BioSciences' unique technology that edits the targeted genes. The partnership strengthens Cargill's already robust technical portfolio, allowing it to further innovate on behalf of its customers.
"Partnerships that enable innovation across the supply chain are absolutely essential to bridge the gap between agriculture and human health," said Fayaz Khazi, President, Precision PlantSciences. "This collaboration exemplifies the dedication of both companies toward making a health-centric global impact."
Cargill has filed patent applications covering initial discoveries with this highly effective, breakthrough technology. Cargill and Precision BioSciences will continue to work together to further develop this new product, and Cargill will determine a plan for commercialization.
About Cargill
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and more than 150 years of experience. We have 155,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
About Precision BioSciences
Precision BioSciences is dedicated to improving life. Our mission is to cure genetic disease, overcome cancer, and feed the planet. We are achieving this with ARCUS®, the first product-grade, naturally-derived genome editing system that uniquely combines the specificity and efficacy required to overcome life's greatest genetic challenges. To address agricultural needs, Precision partners with stakeholders in the food systems value chain to bridge gaps and meet needs across agricultural productivity, nutritional demand, food security, and human wellness. To learn more about Precision's platform and pipeline, visit precisionbiosciences.com.