Wilbur-Ellis, a leading provider of innovative solutions for agriculture, announced June 23 that it has entered a U.S. market development agreement with Talam Biotech, a biological technologies start-up, for Talam's natural microbial approach to reducing heavy metal uptake by crops.

Talam researchers have developed a technology that uses naturally occurring soil microbes to reduce bioavailability of toxic heavy metals to crops. Reduced uptake by plants means less contaminants in grains, vegetables and fruits, with a direct positive impact on human health and crop yield in some cases.

Heavy metals occur naturally in the environment and are also a result of human activity. They enter the food supply through the water and soil used to grow crops. Greater understanding of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in food and their impact on human health has increased consumer concerns and regulatory scrutiny around the world.

An International Food and Information Council survey of U.S. consumers released last fall found that 64 percent of Americans are "very or extremely concerned" about heavy metals in food, with presence in baby food being the top-ranking concern. The report also shows that among the same group of consumers, half say they have changed their eating habits as a result.

Early in 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released action levels for lead in baby food. At the same time, California's Bill AB899 introducing requirements for testing and disclosure of heavy metals in baby foods went into effect. Maryland, Virginia, and Illinois have approved similar bills in the last few months.

Talam anticipates commercial launch of a wheat product in 2027. Additional products for vegetables, grains, and root crops will follow.