Google Ventures-backed Clear Labs gets $13 million in Series B to nip food recalls in the bud

Food tech's funding streak continues. Clear Labs, which says it's prepared to enter an "aggressive" commercialization stage, has developed a portfolio of genome sequencing tests to help food brands identify pathogens and ensure quality in their supply chains. Michael Taylor, former FDA deputy commissioner for foods who led the implementation of FSMA, also joined the board of directors. Read more at Tech Crunch...

Grains maintain food intake share in 2000s

Grains continue to be the largest source of calories in the American diet, according to new data from the USDA's Economic Research Service, but fats are slowly creeping up on them—driven at least partially by an increased caloric intake of nuts and added animal fats. Daily intake of grains fell slightly between 2000 and 2010, but so did overall calorie consumption. Read more at World-Grain.com...

Amazon's newest brand, Wickedly Prime, brings its private label food business out of stealth mode

The online retailer's push into private label continues with Wickedly Prime, a brand that features gourmet popcorn, tortilla chips and almonds. Earlier this year, Amazon rolled out its own baby food and coffee. Read more at Geek Wire...

USDA rushing to finish organic livestock welfare rule

With less than a month to go until the Obama administration leaves office, the Department of Agriculture says it's "doing everything" it can to push its revised organic livestock welfare rule forward. Read more at Southeast Ag Net...

Russia proposes clear GMO labeling for Eurasian Economic Union

Russia has already banned the growth of genetically modified crops in the country (except for research purposes), but now its Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Protection and Welfare and the Eurasian Economic Commission proposed an amendment that all food manufacturers in the EAEC use a GMO icon on food products that contain genetically modified ingredients. Read more at Sustainable Pulse...