Lab-Grown Pet Food to be Sold in European Kingdom
A small kingdom in Europe is set to become the first country in Europe to sell lab-grown meat, after regulators approved a local startup to produce cell-based chicken.
While consuming such a product may sound strange, it is not intended for humans, but rather for their pets.
After receiving regulatory approval, Meatly plans to start producing commercial samples of their pet food.
Lab-Grown Meat Industry Faces Challenges
In recent years, lab-grown meat has gained attention for its potential to reduce the environmental impact caused by conventionally produced meat. However, the industry is facing difficulties due to decreasing investments, expansion challenges, and political reactions.
Company Aims to Reach Industrial Scale
A company has announced its goal to reach industrial volumes this year and to achieve even greater production levels in the next three years, as stated in a statement quoted by Bloomberg.
The Future of Cultured Meat
Cultured or cell-based meat is created by collecting cells from live animals, providing them with nutrients, and allowing them to grow in bioreactors before they are transformed into a meat product ready for consumption.
Challenges and Opportunities
Obtaining approval for human consumption in Europe is expected to be a slow and lengthy process, prompting local start-up companies producing lab-grown meat to look towards Asia and the United States for opportunities.
However, consumers remain very skeptical. Despite America and Singapore being some of the countries leading the way in cultured meat production, public trust in these products is still a major barrier to widespread acceptance.
Sale of Cultivated Chicken Approved for Human Consumption
The sale of cultivated chicken for human consumption has been approved by authorities, although the quantities sold so far have been minimal. This new development opens up opportunities for the food industry to explore alternative sources of protein.
Cultivated chicken is a product that is grown in a lab setting, without the need for raising and slaughtering animals. This process not only eliminates the need for animal cruelty but also reduces the environmental impact of traditional livestock farming.
With the approval of cultivated chicken for sale, consumers can now have access to a sustainable and ethical source of protein that is free from antibiotics and hormones. This could potentially revolutionize the way we produce and consume meat in the future.