Sweet Science: MeliBio Joins FoodYoung Labs in a Bid to Reinvent the Future of Honey

Courtesy: MeliBio

In a strategic cross-continental move aimed at accelerating the growth of sustainable food innovation, California-based MeliBio — the company behind the world’s first plant-based honey — has been acquired by FoodYoung Labs, a Swiss food group known for its clean-label products and science-backed formulations. The acquisition includes MeliBio’s Mellody® brand, its first-generation technology, and its intellectual property, setting the stage for a new era in bee-free honey production and ethical ingredient sourcing.

Founded on the vision of reducing dependence on pollinator bees, MeliBio used plant-based and precision science to replicate the structure and taste of honey without involving insects. Its flagship product, Mellody®, first gained attention when it landed a coveted spot on the menu at Eleven Madison Park, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York. Since then, it has made its way to more accessible shelves through partnerships with major retailers such as Aldi, proving that alternative honey isn’t just a novelty — it’s a scalable solution to some of food production’s most urgent challenges.

Now under the umbrella of FoodYoung Labs, Mellody® is poised for the next phase of its journey. Headquartered in Switzerland, FoodYoung Labs develops a wide range of food categories — from snacks and spreads to chocolates and frozen goods — through its portfolio of brands like ZAZ, Bonnap, Kakoo, FRŸZE, Mani, and CimaNorma. With operations spanning both Europe and the US, the group has become a quiet but influential player in clean-label innovation, placing transparency, health, and ingredient integrity at the core of its work.

“This partnership is about taking Mellody® to its full potential,” said Abouzar Rahmani, Founder and CEO of FoodYoung Labs. “Our Swiss innovation lab and North American presence give us a unique edge. We’re blending culinary excellence with scientific rigor, while staying true to ethical sourcing — and Mellody® fits perfectly into that equation.”

Darko Mandich, Co-Founder and CEO of MeliBio, sees the acquisition as a strategic step not only for his company but for the alt-food sector as a whole. “Startups like MeliBio have brought forward transformative ideas, but scaling those ideas takes collaboration with the right partners,” he said. “FoodYoung Labs brings the know-how, infrastructure, and market access to help bring bee-free honey to the global stage.”

For both companies, the deal underscores a shared belief that the future of food lies at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and transparency. As consumers become more discerning about the environmental and ethical implications of their diets, innovations like Mellody® can help drive meaningful change — not just in what we eat, but in how it’s made.

The acquisition also reflects a broader trend: established food companies are increasingly absorbing agile, mission-driven startups to speed up the transition to cleaner, more sustainable food systems. In this case, MeliBio’s breakthrough approach to honey production aligns neatly with FoodYoung Labs’ goal of crafting planet-friendly products without sacrificing taste or nutrition.

And while the headlines may focus on the acquisition itself, what’s most exciting is the possibility it unlocks. With access to FoodYoung’s manufacturing scale and distribution network, Mellody® could become the first bee-free honey to reach mass-market adoption — a major milestone not just for MeliBio, but for food tech at large.

Want to hear more from the founders? Check out our conversation with Darko Mandich on the FoodTech Junkies Podcast, where he breaks down the journey from lab to table — and what’s next for bee-free honey.