Gene-edited Mustard Greens Hit the Market!
Via Food Navigator USA
Summary
In 2023, biotech startup Pairwise brought the first CRISPR gene-edited food to U.S. retail markets: a line of mustard greens sold under the brand name Conscious Greens. The company used CRISPR technology to dial down the pungent bitterness naturally present in mustard greens, resulting in a leafy green with the mild flavor of lettuce but with roughly double the nutritional density of romaine and a shelf life extended by three or more days.
The launch was closely watched by the food and agriculture industry as a test of American consumer appetite for gene-edited produce. Unlike GMO crops that introduce foreign DNA, CRISPR edits the plant's own genome. Pairwise argued the product required no special labeling under USDA rules and positioned Conscious Greens as a healthier, more palatable option for consumers who find traditional mustard greens too sharp.
