“The big challenge is changing the narrative around preservation. It's a word that people don't like to hear. But preservatives are essential in terms of food safety.” -Natasha Dhayagude

 

Episode Description:

Climate change is one of today’s most pressing issues, and one contributor toward climate change is food waste.  Food waste accounts for approximately 8.2% of greenhouse emissions. This figure is relatively small compared to other factors, but its impact is enough to pose a danger to us and our environment. Eight-five percent of this waste comes from businesses and residential, and the rest comes from farms. What if we could turn agricultural waste into a viable product that preserves the quality of other goods, thus reducing food waste along the way? Is it even possible? Chinova Bioworks says it is!

 

While artificial preservatives spell health risks, natural preservatives work in the opposite way.  Chinova delivers clean-label preservatives extracted from white button mushrooms to extend shelf-life for a wide range of food items. Although some natural preservatives fall short compared to their artificial counterpart, Chinova’s natural solution is highly effective, economical, easy to use, and healthy.  Of the over 2,000 edible types of mushrooms, white button mushrooms are the most commonly eaten around the world.    

 

Cultivation leftovers often end up in landfills, and this is also true for mushroom farming. Tune in as Chinova CEO, Natasha Dhayagude walks us through the science and processes of this mind-blowing waste reduction solution. Justine and Natasha also talk about upcycling, creating value throughout the supply chain, incorporating food safety practices in product development, and changing the perception around preservation. What was once seen as waste is being looked at differently these days!  Tune in to learn more about future innovations and business tips you can leverage to impact the future of the food system.  

 

Connect with Natasha: 

Natasha Dhayagude is the Co-Founder and CEO of Chinova Bioworks. Built in 2016, Chinova has one goal: to reduce food waste. They are pioneers in using mushroom fiber as a clean-label solution for extending the shelf-life and improving the quality of food items without sacrificing sustainability and health. Natasha is also a strong advocate for women, especially female minorities. She gives them a voice as she continues to build a legacy in the food industry.

 

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Episode Highlights:

00:59 Clean Label Preservatives

10:31 Upcycling and Mushroom 

15:31 How Mushroom Extract Works

19:02 The Future with Natural Clean Label Solutions

22:49 Be Patient