Nurtured Nutz Advances Reduced-Allergen Peanuts Toward Commercial Launch
The Institute of Food Technologists, a nonprofit scientific organization focused on the global food system, announced that Nurtured Nutz Company was selected as the winner of “The Pitch!” at IFT FIRST’s Startup Pitch Competition, which took place on July 15 in Chicago.
Through a partnership with AgriNetica, the US division of BetterSeeds, Nurtured Nuts leveraged gene-edited peanuts with reduced allergens while preserving the peanut’s flavor and nutrition. The USDA-approved allergen-less peanuts have been successfully planted at a field site in Georgia.Their products are designed for peanut butter, protein bars, powders, and other peanut-based snacks. Nurtured Nuts Company aims to have its batch of products finished in 2026 with the first commercially available allergen-less peanut product being available to consumers in 2027.
Nurtured Nuts Company Founder and CEO, Bryant Williams, stated: “This is a defining moment for us and for everyone who’s ever wished peanut allergies did not exist as a barrier for the foods we love. We’re proving that science can make food safer without sacrificing what makes it great. The opportunity ahead is enormous, and we’re just getting started,”
Christie Tarantino-Dean, IFT CEO, said: “IFT is proud to provide a platform where emerging innovators can share their ideas, build meaningful connections, and gain the visibility needed to move promising solutions forward, […] Congratulations to Nurtured Nuts Company and this year’s runners-up, BioBlends and Forever Harvest. The work being done by these companies is a great example of how science and innovation can come together to address real challenges and help improve food for everyone.”
The company has won USD10.000 from the competition’s sponsor, Seeding The Future Foundation.
