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US Regulator approves sale of lab-grown meat; UPSIDE foods and Eat Just get approvals
June 22nd, 2023
USDA has given the green light to two cell-based meat companies - GOOD Meat and Upside Foods - a landmark decision which will influence the future of food in more ways than one.
A significant development for the cultivated food sector, GOOD Meat's chicken has received the official approval of safety from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This announcement comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter in March indicating no further inquiries were necessary.
Upside Foods has also obtained the necessary clearance to offer its poultry products for sale to consumers in the United States.
Josh Tetrick, CEO of GOOD Meat and Eat Just said the USDA news was a “major moment for our company, the industry, and the food system."
The cultivation tanks at the Upside Foods plant, where lab-grown meat is cultivated, in Emeryville, Calif., in January.
Launching cultivated meat
US consumers will join Singapore as the second market worldwide with access to purchasing and consuming cell-cultivated meat. Singapore had authorized its sale two years ago, paving the way for this development.
The introduction of cell-cultivated meat is expected to have a limited initial release, primarily featured on restaurant menus. This exclusivity aims to gauge consumer response and build awareness.
Upside Foods has recently unveiled a contest offering people an opportunity to experience the product firsthand in San Francisco. This contest will be held in collaboration with renowned chef Dominique Crenn. Good Meat will also debut in restaurants, with acclaimed chef José Andrés ready to serve it at one of his dining rooms in D.C.
Image Reference to Cell-based meat
Why are lab grown meats getting attention?
Cell-based meat, also known as cultured meat, lab-grown meat, or no-slaughter protein is a type of meat that is produced by culturing animal cells in a lab rather than raising and slaughtering whole animals. It involves taking a small sample of animal cells, typically muscle cells, and providing them with a nutrient-rich environment to grow and multiply. These cells then develop into muscle tissue, which can be harvested and processed into meat products.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that animal agriculture is responsible for nearly 14.5% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions globally, with beef production accounting for approximately 41% of that total. The production of one kilogram of beef is equivalent to emitting around 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Additionally, chicken meat and eggs contribute to approximately 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Lab-grown meat on the other hand requires much less resources such as land and water.
Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder of UPSIDE Foods, expressed that this approval will bring about fundamental changes in how meat reaches our tables. It represents a significant stride towards a more sustainable future that upholds choice and life.
Are cultivated meats vegan?
Cultivated meat can be considered a potentially vegan-friendly option - but it entirely depends on where you draw the line when it comes to ethics. While it is derived from animal cells, it does not involve the raising, exploitation, or slaughter of animals for meat consumption. Instead, a small sample of animal cells is used to produce the meat in a laboratory.
Some vegans see it as a positive development that aligns with their ethical stance by reducing the harm and suffering associated with traditional animal agriculture. They view it as a more sustainable and humane alternative to consuming meat derived from farmed animals.
However, other vegans may have reservations about cultivated meat because this meat is still grown from parts of a real animal and therefore technically cannot be considered ‘vegan’. And stealing cells from a living animal still breaches animal rights. Lab-grown meat has the potential for continued animal exploitation in the production process.
Write to us at hello@veganfirst.com and tell us what you think. If lab-grown meat is considered safe to consume, is it also void of the cancer-causing elements of traditional meat? Will cell-based meat dilute the animal rights movement or empower it? Where do you stand on consuming lab-grown cultivated meat?
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