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Phytolon, an Israeli biotech start-up developing natural food colours using precision fermentation, has secured an investment from Rich Products Ventures.

Phytolon’s natural colours are produced through fermentation of the company’s proprietary yeast strains, aiming to provide a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative to synthetic food dyes without compromising performance.

Rich Product Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of global food company Rich Products, is supporting commercialisation of the food-tech’s solutions through its investment. As part of this, it will explore the use of Phytolon’s colour offerings in several of its products, including icings, toppings and baked goods, in a mutually non-exclusive agreement.

Phytolon has received additional support from existing shareholders including EIT-Food, Arkin and Yossi Ackerman. The funding will be used to scale its colourant solutions, which are expected to pass key regulatory approvals soon.

Beginning with two fermentation-derived base colours, Phytolon’s portfolio provides a full range of colour shades including purple, pink, red, orange and yellow. The solutions are designed to provide a reliable and steady supply chain compared with agriculture-based colours, as well as a simplified process to help brands achieve vibrant, precise shades across F&B product applications.

Tal Zeltzer, co-founder and CTO of Phytolon, said: “We are excited to be empowered by Rich Products Ventures as partners in promoting our innovative products in the food industry. Rich's investment and commercial partnership are key to establishing a strong footprint in bakery, desserts and related segments, where solutions for natural colours are in high demand.”

Dinsh Guzdar, managing director of Rich Products Ventures, commented: “At RPV, we're investing in venture and growth stage companies that are shaping the future of food through technology and innovation. Sustainable food production is a key area of focus for us, so we're excited about the cutting-edge work Phytolon is leading and the opportunity that presents Rich's to create greater value for our customers.”

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