Report

Pet food made from lab-grown meat has officially launched in the UK, marking a global first for commercially available cultivated meat products in the pet food sector. Meatly, the supplier behind the innovation, introduced its “chick bites” as the first pet food items derived from cultivated meat to reach the market. The company stated that this technology could eventually eliminate the need for livestock in pet food production while reducing carbon emissions, land use, and water consumption. A trial for the dog treats began on Friday at a pet shop in Brentford, London.

Innovative Manufacturing Process

Owen Ensor, who founded the London-based startup Meatly in 2022, compared the manufacturing process to beer brewing. He explained, “We extract cells from a single chicken egg. From that, we can produce an endless supply of meat indefinitely.”He described the process further: “We place the cells in large metal fermenters, and after a week, we can harvest nutritious, flavorful chicken for pets.”

Global Debate on Lab-Grown Meat

Although lab-grown meat is genetically identical to conventionally produced meat, it has sparked controversy in several countries. In 2020, Singapore became the first nation to approve the sale of cell-cultivated meat for human consumption, followed by the United States in 2023. However, some governments have banned it, including Italy and the US states of Alabama and Florida. Supporters emphasize its environmental benefits, while critics argue that it remains expensive and could disrupt traditional agriculture.

Expert Opinions and Environmental Impact

Professor Guy Poppy from the University of Bristol highlighted that lab-grown pet food addresses concerns about animal welfare. The former chief scientific adviser at the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) noted, “This offers the benefits of meat without the carbon and environmental impact.” Professor Andrew Knight of the University of Winchester pointed out that pets consume a significant portion of global meat production. “In countries with large pet populations, including the UK, about 20% of all meat is eaten by pets rather than humans,” he stated.

Consumer Reactions and Regulatory Perspective

At a pet shop and café in Bristol, dog owners shared mixed opinions in a BBC survey. Charlotte Bloyce considered her pet’s carbon footprint an important factor, while Allie Betts hesitated to feed her dog lab-grown meat, stating she would not consume it herself. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) called for further research on the safety and sustainability of lab-grown meat for pets. Ensor acknowledged public hesitation, saying he understood why some might feel “somewhat uneasy” about the product. However, he reassured consumers that it had received regulatory approval and contained no hormones, steroids, or other chemicals sometimes found in conventional meat.

Future Prospects and Cost Considerations

Meatly’s CEO emphasized that the product has become far more commercially viable. “Right now, it’s expensive, but we’ve made substantial progress in reducing costs over the past two years and will continue to do so,” he said.

Source: BBC News