The United States has become the second country, after Singapore, to authorize the sale of chicken meat grown in laboratories. The US Department of Agriculture has inspected and approved the infrastructure safety systems of Upside Foods and Good Meat, two companies at the forefront of lab-grown meat production. The Federal Food Sanitation Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued three notices of compliance to establishments manufacturing products derived from animal cells, with the third notice going to Joinn Biologics, a company that works with Good Meat.
Upside Foods and Good Meat had previously obtained approval from the United States Food Safety Agency (FDA) in November, and the Ministry of Agriculture had checked and approved the labeling of these products. This authorization marks a significant milestone in the development of lab-grown meat and is expected to revolutionize the way meat is produced and consumed.
Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods, stated that this authorization will fundamentally change the way meat lands on our tables and praised it as a giant step towards a more sustainable future. Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just, the company behind Good Meat, expressed his delight that lab-grown meat is now authorized for sale in the first world power. Eat Just was the first company to receive approval to market artificial meat in Singapore in 2020.
The products of Upside Foods and Good Meat will soon be available in several restaurants, with renowned chefs already placing orders. Dominique Crenn, a starred French chef, has ordered from Upside Foods for her restaurant in San Francisco, while celebrity chef José Andrés is set to receive the first American batch from Good Meat, which will be served at one of his restaurants in Washington, D.C.
Lab-grown meat is seen as a more sustainable alternative to traditional meat production, with less impact on the environment and no animal suffering. However, there are still questions about the real environmental impact of lab-grown meat, particularly in terms of energy consumption and health safety. A recent study from the University of California at Davis has shown that all phases of laboratory meat production require a significant amount of energy and emit a large amount of greenhouse gases.
Despite these challenges, the authorization of lab-grown chicken meat in the United States marks a significant milestone in the development of alternative meat sources. As more companies and countries embrace this technology, the future of meat production and consumption may be forever changed.
How does the USDA’s authorization of lab-grown chicken meat in the US market impact the acceptance and recognition of alternative meat production methods?
D and verified their safety protocols. Now, with the USDA’s authorization, lab-grown chicken meat produced by these companies can officially be sold in the US market.
This development marks a significant step forward for lab-grown meat production in the United States. Singapore was the first country to authorize the sale of lab-grown chicken meat last December, setting a precedent for other nations to follow. With the US now joining the ranks, it further reinforces the growing acceptance and recognition of this alternative meat production method.
Lab-grown or cultured meat is produced by cultivating animal cells in a controlled laboratory environment, eliminating the need for traditional livestock farming. Advocates of this technology argue that it could help address several challenges associated with conventional meat production, such as animal welfare concerns, environmental impact, and food safety risks.
Upside Foods and Good Meat are at the forefront of the lab-grown meat industry, investing heavily in research, development, and production capabilities. They have focused on refining their infrastructure safety systems and ensuring compliance with rigorous guidelines set by regulatory bodies.
The USDA’s inspection and approval of these companies’ safety systems provide assurance that their lab-grown chicken meat meets the required standards and regulations. This verification process is crucial to instill confidence in the consumers and ensure that the lab-grown meat entering the market is safe for consumption.
Joinn Biologics, another company associated with Good Meat, also received a notice of compliance from the FSIS. This recognition highlights their commitment to maintaining high standards and working within the regulations governing lab-grown meat production.
The FDA’s earlier approval of Upside Foods and Good Meat’s safety protocols, coupled with the USDA’s authorization, sends a positive signal to other companies in the lab-grown meat sector. It encourages innovation and investment in this emerging industry, potentially paving the way for a more widespread availability of alternative, sustainable meat options.
While lab-grown meat is still in its early stages of commercialization, these regulatory milestones are crucial for its growth and acceptance. As more countries and regulatory bodies acknowledge and authorize the sale of lab-grown meat, it could open up a range of possibilities to transform the global food system, offering an environmentally friendly and ethical alternative to conventional meat production.
