In Minnesota, Calyxt, Inc., a consumer-centric, food- and agriculture-focused company, completed the inaugural harvest of its high-fiber wheat product, the world’s first gene-edited, consumer-focused wheat product. The high-fiber wheat product is already the seventh Calyxt product that has been deemed non-regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including powdery mildew-resistant wheat, high-oleic soybeans, high-oleic / low-linoleic soybeans, improved quality alfalfa, cold storable potatoes and reduced browning potatoes. Calyxt’s high-fiber wheat was developed by using the Company’s proprietary gene-editing technology, TALEN, to produce a small and precise modification in the wheat genome.
“The completion of these field trials for our high-fiber wheat is an important milestone as we continue to advance toward the finish line in commercializing our first-ever gene-edited wheat product for consumers,” said Jim Blome, CEO of Calyxt. “Consumer demand for high-fiber products has never been higher, as fiber is essential for healthy digestion, with the potential to decrease the risk of food-related chronic diseases like coronary heart disease and diabetes. Most adults only consume about half of the recommended amount of fiber in their diet but, with this latest advancement, we’re one step closer to developing a product with up to three times more dietary fiber than standard white flour, resulting in a healthier alternative for consumers – with the same great taste that they love.”