WikiCell

WikiCell is a food‑packaging concept in which the container is itself edible. The packaging consists of a natural soft membrane (made from food particles, alginate/chitosan, and nutritive ions) that encloses the food or drink, optionally protected by a hard shell that is edible or biodegradable.^[1]

The concept was developed by bioengineer David A. Edwards and collaborators around 2010. A startup company, originally called Incredible Foods (later rebranded as Foodberry), was established in 2012 to commercialize the technology.^[2][3]

As of 2019, the original consumer product line has been discontinued. Foodberry now operates as a food‑tech company offering edible and compostable coating and packaging technology, often in partnership with other food brands.^[4]

While WikiCell remains a recognized edible‑packaging technology, it appears not to have achieved the widespread commercial distribution once envisioned, and its current use is primarily within a B2B technology platform rather than a mainstream consumer product line.

References

1. "Would You Eat Something Wrapped in a WikiCell?". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
2. "David Edwards's WikiCell Makes Edible Food Packaging". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2025-12-08. The company launched limited‑run novelty items such as frozen‑yogurt spheres (“WikiPearls”) wrapped in edible skins, reported in early media coverage
3. "High-Tech Frozen Yogurt That Comes in Edible Packaging". Wired. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
4. "Food Tech Startup Creates Edible Plant-Based Food Coverings". Food Dive. Retrieved 2025-12-08.