Monsanto subsidiary Calgene moving out of Davis into Woodland facilities

Calgene, a Monsanto subsidiary, which was responsible for the world’s first FDA-approved genetically modified food, is headed north.

 

About 50 employees of Calgene will move out of Davis and into the new 90,000 square feet of research space Monsanto opened in Woodland last year. The $31 million facility serves as the headquarters of the controversial biotech company’s vegetable research division. Nearly 300 full-time and 150 contract seasonal workers are employed there.

 

“The move to Woodland will allow for greater efficiencies and new research space,” said Becky Ericson, a corporate media relations officer for Monsanto.

 

About 15 employees will remain at the company’s greenhouses on Second Street, she said. There is no word yet on what will happen to the company’s offices on Fifth Street.

 

Calgene made history selling the first commercially available genetically modified food: a tomato with a longer shelf life. However, the tomato had a short market life. Monsanto acquired controlling interests in Calgene in 1996 and 1997, and production of the Flavr Savr ceased in 1997.