Phytolon, an Israeli startup specializing in natural food colors through precision fermentation, has secured an undisclosed investment from Rich Products Ventures (RPV), the venture arm of Rich Products Corporation, along with additional funds from existing investors including EIT-Food, Arkin Holdings, and Yossi Ackerman.
As part of this partnership, Rich Products plans to explore the use of Phytolon’s colors in various products, including icings and baked goods, pending regulatory approvals. Phytolon co-founder and CTO Dr. Tal Zeltzer emphasized the importance of this investment for establishing a foothold in the bakery and dessert market, where demand for natural coloring solutions is growing.
CEO Dr. Halim Jubran described the collaboration as a natural progression from discussions with RPV, praising the enthusiastic response from shareholders. Dinsh Guzdar, managing director at Rich Products Ventures, expressed excitement for Phytolon’s commitment to sustainable food production.
Phytolon’s technology, licensed from the Weizmann Institute of Science, utilizes two modified strains of baker’s yeast to produce water-soluble pigments. The company is seeking FDA approval for its color additives.
Dr. Jubran notes that their fermentation process offers greater purity and eliminates off-tastes common in plant-based colors. Phytolon aims to provide stable, cost-effective alternatives to synthetic dyes, meeting the increasing demand for sustainable food coloring solutions.
Recently, Phytolon forged a distribution partnership with DSM Firmenich and is actively engaging with consumer packaged goods companies to replace synthetic dyes and improve color sourcing.
As food companies increasingly prioritize sustainability, Phytolon is positioned to lead the natural food color market with its innovative production methods and strategic partnerships, joining a growing field of firms exploring genetically engineered microorganisms for food ingredients.
