The United Kingdom has become the first country in Europe to legalize lab-grown meat, starting with pet food. Lab-grown dog treats made from cultivated cells are now available on shelves across the UK.
The United Kingdom has become the first country in Europe to legalize lab-grown meat, starting with pet food. As of this Friday, dog treats made from cultivated cells will be available on shelves across the UK.
Lab-grown meat, also known as clean meat, is a type of meat produced through cellular agriculture.
This process involves growing animal cells in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for animal slaughter and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global lab-grown meat market is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 21.4%.
Companies like Memphis Meats and Mosa Meat are already making significant strides in this field, developing products that mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat.
Meatly, a London-based company, is pioneering this innovation with its product called Chick Bites. These bite-sized treats are made without ever involving a chicken, instead using cells taken from one chicken egg that are cultivated in a lab and combined with plant-based ingredients. According to Meatly, the result is ‘just as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken breast.‘
The Benefits of Cultivated Meat
Cultivated meat, also known as ‘no kill’ meat, is seen as more ethical and environmentally friendly compared to traditional animal farming methods. While it does contribute to CO2 emissions due to electricity reliance, production facilities that run on renewables can emit up to 92% less greenhouse gases, use 95% less land, and 78% less water.
Cultivated meat, also known as clean meat, is a type of meat produced through cellular agriculture.
This process involves taking animal cells and growing them in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for animal slaughter.
According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global cultivated meat market is expected to reach $25.4 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 23.3%.
Companies like Memphis Meats and Mosa Meat are already commercializing this technology, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production.
In comparison to beef farming, cultivated meat uses 45% less energy. The European Environment Agency estimates that if the manufacture of cultivated meat is powered with renewables, it can have a significantly lower environmental impact.
Global Approval
The UK’s approval of lab-grown meat for pet food makes it the first country in Europe to do so. However, other countries are also taking steps towards approving this technology. In 2023, the US Department of Agriculture approved the sale of lab-grown meat for human consumption, and Singapore and Israel have also given their green light.
A Growing Market
Chick Bites come in a pale blue resealable plastic pack with a cartoon of a dog waving a flag that says: ‘Puptivists changing the world.‘ According to Meatly CEO Owen Ensor, these treats are on sale for £3.49 (about $4.35) a pack, which is in the middle price range for dog treats.
Andrew Knight, professor of veterinary science at the University of Winchester, points out that pets play a significant role in meat consumption, with around 20% of all meat consumed by higher pet-owning nations being eaten by animals rather than humans. A 2022 survey found that 47.3% of respondents were willing to feed lab-grown meat to their pets, while only 32.5% said they would eat it themselves.
A Growing Industry
As the demand for sustainable and cruelty-free pet food continues to grow, companies like Meatly are at the forefront of this innovation. Whether lab-grown meat will become a staple in pet diets remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the future of pet food has never looked brighter.
