Bryan Johnson, the entrepreneur behind the "Don't Die" movement, has announced an ambitious plan to sequence the US "foodome" – a term he coined to describe the genetic makeup of the food we eat. Speaking at the SXSW festival in Austin, Johnson revealed his goal to test 20% of foods that constitute 80% of the American diet, with the aim of creating a public database to hold brands accountable for food safety.

Johnson, who has founded companies such as Kernel, a brain monitoring device company, and OS Fund, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. He has been open about his own extreme measures to extend his lifespan, including transfusing his blood with that of his 17-year-old son and undergoing shock therapy treatment to improve his health. His latest venture is focused on promoting healthy eating, which he believes is harder than it seems due to the presence of toxins in many foods, even those from organic brands.

Johnson's plan is to test as much food as possible and create a public database where people can donate money to have certain foods and brands tested for toxins such as heavy metals or microplastics. The results, he hopes, will hold brands accountable for unsafe food practices and provide consumers with valuable information to make informed choices. The idea received a round of applause from the packed audience at SXSW, who participated in Johnson's various breathing exercises and longevity experiments.

Johnson's philosophy is centered around the idea that with the advent of AI, humans may be able to extend their lifespan indefinitely. He believes that AI can be aligned with the mission of preserving human life, and that it can be used to tap into millions of "human-level geniuses" to track human progress and tackle aging's biggest challenges. While this idea has drawn criticism from skeptics who argue that dying is an essential part of being human, Johnson remains committed to his vision.

Dr. Andrew Steele, a longevity scientist, has expressed skepticism about Johnson's approach, arguing that genetics – not extreme measures – play a larger role in determining life expectancy. However, Johnson is undeterred, and is promoting his "Blueprint Protocol," a lifestyle formula for maintaining what he claims are the world's best biomarkers. He is also marketing his own line of supplements and foods, including a brand of olive oil ironically named Snake Oil.

While Johnson's ideas may be provocative, they have sparked an important conversation about the role of technology in promoting healthy living. As the world grapples with the implications of AI and its potential to transform industries, Johnson's "foodome" sequencing project could be a crucial step towards creating a healthier and more sustainable food system.

As the project moves forward, it will be interesting to see how brands respond to the public database and whether consumers will be willing to pay for food testing. One thing is certain, however – Bryan Johnson's latest venture has the potential to disrupt the food industry and challenge our assumptions about healthy eating.