The marketing of cellular chicken meat – ie cultured in the laboratory – from two companies has just been authorized in the United States. This authorization marks an additional regulatory step for this innovation from foodtech, although many questions persist. The United States is the second country to approve its marketing after Singapore, which took the plunge in 2020.
Green light for cellular chicken meat, as a logical continuation
In recent years, the development of lab-grown meat has greatly accelerated. This year marks a turning point in the United States. In November 2022, the agency responsible for food safety in the United States – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – had given his green light in approving health security chicken cell meat.
Two weeks ago, the USDA – United State Department of Agriculture – inspected and approved labeling compliance of these products. And finally on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the USDA took a final step by authorizing the production and marketing cell meat chicken from American companies Upside Foods et Good Meat, two pioneers in the field.
Upside Foods Cellular Chicken Meat
Good Meat, the subsidiary of the Eat Just group, reacted to this news by saying on Twitter: ” This approval means that Good Meat is declared safe to eat and produce in the United States, marking a revolutionary moment for cellular meat ».
At first, this chicken cell meat will only be available in certain restaurants. This may help pave the way for a better understanding of these products and this technology, and for wider democratization.
In-vitro meat, meat grown in the laboratory
To fully understand, let’s go over the basics of the production of cell meat grown in the laboratory:
Sampling of cells by biopsy on a living animal. The actors of the environment specify that this operation is painless and without suffering for the animal.
Culturing cells in a cuvette containing a nutrient serum such as FBS (fetal bovine serum) or other alternatives.
Multiplication et differentiation cells in an environment with controlled parameters: temperature, humidity, nutrients, etc.
Product modeling finished using different techniques such as molding or 3D printing, in order to give the cultured meat its final shape.
These steps make it possible to produce meat, while limiting the environmental impact and animal suffering linked to breeding.
An extremely turbulent market
The development of the laboratory-grown meat market is quite unstable. It is dependent on many investments or regulatory news.
Massive fundraising has been taking place for several years now:
Upside Food and left 145 million dollars in 2020 et 400 millions additional in 2022.
Good Meat a levé 267 million dollars raised since its creation
McKinsey estimates that the Global Cell Meat Market to Reach $20 Billion by 2030. But these estimates can vary by a factor of 10 depending on the model. These differences are due to several factors:
The cycle start life of this industry addiction to the science and to l’innovation technology trends of consumption
evolution future regulations.
Cellular chicken meat soon on all plates?
Cellular meat being a new food, it is difficult to have hindsight or points of comparison with a food advance of this magnitude.
The first determining factor will be the regulations, since each country will likely make its own choices in this regard. Whether Singapore and the United States have already passed the, many other countries such as Israel, the Netherlands and China have also begun to reflect on the issue. In Europe, the introduction of cellular chicken meat on our plates will take time. It must indeed comply with the legislation Novel Food, a process that is both long and restrictive. Moreover, the strong anchoring of our gastronomic culture constitutes an obstacle to its acceptance by consumers.
Even so, cell meat has some notable benefits. In the years to come, it will be able to offer a additional choice to consumers. Limiting animal slaughterit can be an alternative to address animal welfare concerns.
However, questions remain as to environmental impact real of these products, in particular with regard to the energy consumption related to this technology. There Food Safety also raises questions because the entire laboratory environment must be strictly controlled. The slightest pathogen can easily contaminate animal cells.
Finally, the prix constitutes one of the main barriers to date, although the massive investments supported by many many influential players are likely to gradually reduce production costs.
Allowing chicken cell meat to be marketed in the United States could be a big step forward for the foodtech world. However, these new foods may struggle to find their footing in some parts of the world for now. Innovations and massive investments will make it possible to limit certain disadvantages of this technology. But, as often, it is the consumer who will have the last word.
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An article written with Brice Poitau, assistant project manager. Thanks to him !
Photo credits: #595497335 – ©Sea Wave – stock.adobe.com
2023-07-03 05:30:00
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