U.S. has granted approval for the sale of laboratory-grown chicken
On Wednesday, the Agriculture Department granted formal approval for the production and commercialization of laboratory-grown meat, marking the first-ever instance of such authorization. This decision paves the path for two California-based companies to commence the sale of chicken products derived from animal cells.
The availability of lab-produced meat in grocery stores for consumers is expected to take several years. However, the government's recent decision will ultimately enable the sale of lab-produced meat beyond state borders, following successful federal inspections.
The recent decision marks a significant milestone for companies involved in the production of cell-grown meat, as well as for consumers seeking alternatives to chickens raised in factory farms and subjected to traditional slaughtering practices.
The news was enthusiastically celebrated by advocates of alternative proteins, as well as the companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, which actively pursued federal approval. They regarded this development as a pivotal moment for the meat industry and the broader food system, especially during a time of increasing concerns regarding the environmental consequences of meat production and the ethical treatment of animals.
“This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table,” Dr. Uma Valeti, the chief executive and founder of Upside Foods, said in a statement. “It’s a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future — one that preserves choice and life.”
Following this decision, the United States will become the second country globally, after Singapore, to officially approve the production and commercialization of lab-grown meat.
Bruce Friedrich, the president of the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit focused on cell- and plant-based meat, said U.S. approval was a critical step for the industry, adding that “the world does look to the United States’ food safety approval system, and now lots of governments will follow.”
As per Mr. Friedrich, approximately 100 companies worldwide, including numerous entities within the United States, are dedicated to the production of cultivated meat. The market research firm Grand View Research estimated the industry's value at around $247 million in 2022, while McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm, projected that it could expand to $25 billion by the year 2030.
The production process of lab-grown meat commences with the extraction of cells from an animal. These cells are subsequently provided with water, salt, and essential nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Within specialized containers known as cultivators or bioreactors, the cells undergo multiplication. Upon reaching maturity, the resulting product primarily consists of minced meat, which can then be shaped into patties, sausages, or fillets. Notably, the lab-grown meat lacks bones, feathers, beaks, or hooves, and obviates the need for traditional slaughtering methods.
