Clear Labs

Clear Labs is a private genomics testing company headquartered in San Carlos, California, United States. It conducts high-throughput DNA sequencing tests to determine if food samples contain the genetic materials of specific pathogens.[1] It can also verify a food's ingredients, its GMO status, or conduct other tests.[1][2]

Clear Labs
Private
IndustryFood safety
Founded2014
FoundersMahni Ghorashi and Sasan Amini
Headquarters
San Carlos, California
,
United States
Area served
Global
Key people
Sasan Amini, CEO and Co-founder
ProductsGenomics testing for food
Number of employees
50+
Websitewww.clearlabs.com

Clear Labs was founded by Mahni Ghorashi and Sasan Amini in 2014,[3] both of whom left their jobs at genomics companies to start Clear Labs.[4] They acquired $6.5 million in series A financing in 2015[3] and then initiated a Kickstarter campaign intending to raise an additional $100,000.[5][lower-alpha 1] In 2017, the company closed a $16 million Series B funding round.[7][8][lower-alpha 2] This was followed by another $21 million round in October 2018.[10]


Clear Labs has publicized various reports on the results of performing DNA testing on common food products. For example, the company found traces of meat in vegetarian burgers, traces of rat DNA in other meat patties, and more calories than the burgers were labeled for.[11][12] According to Vox, finding trace amounts of foreign DNA in food is normal and safe, but the report's findings on misleading consumers about calories and the vegetarian status of food were considered to be more concerning.[12]

Notes
  1. The campaign funding goal was $100,000, but only $86,839 was pledged. Therefore, no money was actually raised through Kickstarter.[6]
  2. Clear Labs announced $13 million in funding in December 2016, then extended the funding round and got another $3 million in early 2017.[9]

References
  1. Schug, Debra (15 March 2017). "Evolving pathogen testing methods offer better, faster alternatives". Food Engineering. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  2. Ossola, Alexandra. "A Genetic Database Will Identify What's Really In Our Food". Popular Science. Popular Science. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  3. Buhr, Sarah (15 September 2015). "Clear Labs Aims To Be Google Search For GMOs In Packaged Food". techcrunch.com. AOL inc. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  4. Grant, Rebecca (23 October 2015). "The Company That Wants to Test Your Hot Dog's DNA". The Atlantic. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  5. Mott, Nathaniel (22 October 2015). "Clear Labs uses kickstarter to fund 'consumer reports' for food quality". gigaom.com. Knowingly Inc. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. "Clear Food: The World's First Molecular Food Guide by Clear Food". Kickstarter. November 21, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  7. Buhr, Sarah (13 December 2016). "Google Ventures-backed Clear Labs gets $13 million in Series B to nip food recalls in the bud". techcrunch.com. AOL inc. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  8. Salian, Isha (13 August 2017). "What's in my food? DNA sequencing, blockchain provide closer look". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  9. "Clear Labs Lands $16M to Improve Food Safety". Project NOSH. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  10. Siegner, Cathy (October 30, 2018). "Clear Labs closes $21M funding round to advance food safety solutions". Food Dive. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  11. Kowitt, Beth. "Analysis of Burger Market Finds Unwanted Ingredients: Rat and Human DNA". Fortune. Fortune Magazine. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  12. Belluz, Julia (10 May 2016). "A new food safety test just found rat DNA in hamburger meat. Here's why that's good news". Vox.com. Vox Media. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
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