Big Chocolate Moves to Lab-Grown and Gene-Edited Cocoa

America’s chocolate aisle is facing two major shifts: lab-grown cocoa and genetically modified cacao using gene-editing. California Cultured is growing cocoa cells in tanks, and it’s not alone—Lindt, Mondelez (Cadbury, Oreos, Toblerone), and Barry Callebaut are investing in lab-grown cocoa and cocoa butter. Barry Callebaut, a key supplier to Hershey and Nestlé, plays a major role in the industry’s supply chain. Meanwhile, Mars, maker of M&M’s, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way and more, has partnered with a UC Berkeley lab tied to CRISPR technology to edit cacao genes for disease and drought resistance. With global demand rising 3% annually, 70% of cocoa coming from drought-stricken West Africa, and 30–40% of crops lost to pests and disease, companies are turning to lab cultivation and genetic modification—raising concerns about long-term safety and consumer transparency as these products move closer to store shelves.
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California Lettuce Regulations Blamed For Massive Farming Cost Surge

New data from a Cal Poly study shows regulatory compliance costs for California lettuce farms have surged from about $109 per acre in 2006 to more than $1,600 per acre in 2024 — an increase of roughly 1,400%. The study, which tracked a large Salinas Valley lettuce grower, found expanding regulations tied to food safety, labor, air quality, water use, and workplace standards have dramatically raised production costs in a state responsible for around 70% of America’s lettuce supply, fueling concerns over rising grocery prices and the impact of heavy regulation on farming.
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