Upside Foods and Good Meat, two companies specializing in the production of “cultivated chicken,” have received the green light from the US Department of Agriculture to begin selling their cell-based proteins. This regulatory approval signifies a significant milestone for the cultivation of meat in labs, as it is now officially authorized for sale in the United States.
Eat Just, the parent company of plant-based egg substitute maker Good Meat, has announced that production of lab-grown meat will commence immediately. Cultivated meat, which is grown in large vats similar to those used in beer breweries, will now be manufactured by Good Meat as part of their operations.
Wednesday’s move follows a series of previous approvals which have paved the way for sales of cultivated meat in the US.
Last week, Good Meat and Upside secured USDA approval for the labeling of their products. Furthermore, in March, Good Meat obtained a “no questions” letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirming the product’s safety for commercialization in the United States. Upside Foods also received a similar FDA letter in November.
Both the USDA and the FDA have joint jurisdiction over the burgeoning cultivated meat sector, ensuring its regulation and oversight.
Good Meat, which has been selling its products in Singapore, advertises its product as “meat without slaughter,” a more humane approach to eating meat. Supporters hope that cultured meat will help fight climate change by reducing the need for traditional animal agriculture, which emits greenhouse gases.
Earlier, the company had disclosed its collaboration with renowned chef and restaurateur José Andrés to introduce their product at a restaurant in Washington, DC. A company spokesperson stated that they are presently collaborating with José Andrés’ team to determine the launch timeline, although no specific details are available yet. As production scales up, Good Meat is also contemplating potential partnerships with additional restaurants and exploring the possibility of entering the retail market.
On Wednesday, a significant regulatory milestone was achieved with the issuance of a “grant of inspection” by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). This grant, obtained after a rigorous evaluation of the firm’s food safety system, signifies a crucial step in the approval process, as confirmed by an FSIS spokesperson on Wednesday.
“This announcement that we’re now able to produce and sell cultivated meat in the United States is a major moment for our company, the industry and the food system,” Josh Tetrick, Co-Founder and CEO of Good Meat and Eat Just, said in a statement Wednesday.
Upside’s Founder and CEO, Uma Valeti, expressed their enthusiasm regarding the approval on Wednesday, referring to it as a “significant leap towards a more sustainable future.” Valeti further emphasized that this milestone has the potential to revolutionize the entire process of bringing meat to our tables.
Upside intends to debut its product at Bar Crenn, a restaurant located in San Francisco, although an exact launch date has not been disclosed yet. By partnering with Bar Crenn, Upside aims to gain valuable insights from chefs and diners regarding their experience with the product. A company representative stated that this collaboration will provide valuable feedback. In due course, Upside plans to expand its presence by partnering with additional restaurants and making its products accessible in supermarkets.
Currently, Upside is conducting a contest to offer the opportunity for eager customers to be among the first individuals in the United States to experience their product.
