28. 06. 2023 | Kristýna Bezděková

0

• Share with others    

Upside Foods and Good Meat USA have been granted permission to sell meat that has been grown from animal cells. California, known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible, is once again becoming the center of a new technology trend: lab-grown meat.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the sale of meat that has been derived from stem cells. This event represents a breakthrough moment for the alternative protein industry. It is important to note that this is something very different than plant-based alternatives like Impossible or Beyond Burgers. Real meat grown from animal cells is probably closer to science fiction.

“The approval of this process will fundamentally change the way meat gets to our tables,” said Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods. Upside Foods and Good Meat are the only two companies in the country to receive federal approval.

Valeti added: “This is a huge step toward a more sustainable future that takes choice and life into account.”

But how exactly does the lab-grown meat process work? Kim Severson, author of an excellent article on this emerging field, explains. “The process starts with stem cells derived from an animal biopsy, eggs or even feathers. These cells multiply rapidly in stainless steel tanks called bioreactors or cultivators. The cells are fed a complex broth containing nutrients such as carbohydrates and amino acids, as well as a certain growth factor that promotes the development of muscle, fat or connective tissue.

There is still a question mark over how the meat produced in the laboratory will be labelled.

Source, photo:

Kristýna Bezděková

Kristýna is a student of marketing and communication in an undergraduate program. She writes and translates content into the Czech language