Michroma partners with CJ CheilJedang to scale fermentation-derived red dye globally

USA – Californian natural colourant startup Michroma has entered into a strategic partnership with South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang to accelerate the commercialisation of its fermentation-derived red dye for food and cosmetics.

The agreement marks a significant step in advancing natural alternatives to synthetic dyes, which regulators and consumers increasingly demand are being phased out. 

By combining Michroma’s proprietary biotechnology with CJ CheilJedang’s global manufacturing capabilities, the collaboration is set to scale production while supporting regulatory approvals across multiple regions.

Under the deal, Michroma will leverage CJ CheilJedang’s fermentation footprint in Asia, the US, and Brazil, creating a scalable and reliable supply chain to serve the global food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. 

Michroma co-founder and CEO Ricky Cassini noted that the partnership enables “quick, reliable commercialisation at the scale required by global CPGs,” with CJ providing fermentation capacity, raw material sourcing, and downstream processing.

The startup, founded in 2019, uses engineered filamentous fungi in controlled bioreactors to produce pigments. 

The process, similar to beer brewing, allows fungi to secrete colour compounds into growth media, which are later filtered, dried, and concentrated. 

Unlike many plant-derived colourants that degrade under stress, Michroma’s red dye delivers exceptional pH and thermal stability, making it suitable for demanding applications such as plant-based meats, yoghurts, gummies, beverages, and baked goods.

Cassini confirmed that red is the first in a pipeline of natural dyes in development, including yellow, orange, white, and blue. 

At launch, Michroma aims to reach price parity with existing natural dyes, with long-term goals of becoming the most cost-effective and high-performance option in the market.

Beyond manufacturing, CJ CheilJedang will also play a critical role in navigating regulatory approvals. 

In the US, colour additives require FDA approval via a Color Additive Petition, while Europe follows the EFSA process and approvals in Asia and Latin America depend on national agencies. 

Cassini said CJ’s regulatory expertise will accelerate this process, ensuring faster market access.

Michroma has raised US$6.4 million in funding from backers including Dr Oetker, General Mills, and CJ CheilJedang itself. 

The startup is positioning its technology at a time when the US Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is pushing for the removal of synthetic additives and quicker approval of sustainable alternatives.

“Consumers increasingly demand natural and sustainable ingredients, while regulators and companies are phasing out synthetic dyes,” Cassini said. “These forces create the ideal tailwind for Michroma’s platform.”

The partnership ensures Michroma’s technology can be replicated across CJ’s industrial fermentation facilities, enabling consistent large-volume output while reducing dependence on variable crop-based supply chains.

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