UK Approves Lab-Grown Meat for Pet Food | Totally Vegan Buzz

UK Approves Lab-Grown Meat for Pet Food

The United Kingdom has made headlines as the first country to grant regulatory approval for the use of cultivated meat in pet food. This landmark decision opens a new chapter in the narrative of sustainable and ethical animal products, presenting a groundbreaking alternative for pet owners concerned about the environmental and ethical ramifications of traditional meat production.

What is Cultivated Meat?

Cultivated meat, also known as cultured or lab-grown meat, is produced by extracting cells from animals and growing them in controlled environments. This innovative process does not require slaughtering animals, thus reducing harm and suffering. The cells are nurtured in bioreactors where they develop into muscle tissue, eventually forming meat that is genetically identical to conventionally produced meat. Companies like Meatly have pioneered this technology, specifically tailoring their products to meet the nutritional needs of pets.

The approval by UK regulatory bodies, including the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), marks a significant step forward. Meatly, a leading company in this sector, has now been authorized to supply cultivated chicken meat to pet food manufacturers. This development is seen as a pivotal move towards more sustainable pet nutrition options that are kind to our planet and its inhabitants.

Picture: Jam Press. Meatly

“It allows you to still feed the meat that your pets crave and that you want to feed your pet — while providing all the nutrients that your pet needs,” said Owen Ensor, the chief executive of Meatly.

To produce its cultured meat, Meatly utilizes cells harvested from a fertilized chicken egg—a process done only once and requiring no further extraction from animals. Importantly, Meatly avoids using fetal bovine serum, traditionally derived from the blood of cow fetuses, as a growth medium in its production process.

Owen Ensor, Meatly CEO, with Bruno. Picture: Jam Press. Meatly

Meatly has reported that their product underwent rigorous testing to ensure safety and quality. The tests confirmed that their cultivated chicken is devoid of any bacteria and viruses. They also verified that the nutrients used to foster the cells are safe, and that the final meat product is nutritious, safe, and free from genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, harmful germs, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

The company plans to start selling its new product later this year and aims to produce larger amounts over the next three years. Currently, no cell-cultivated products intended for human consumption have received approval in Great Britain.

Pet owners are increasingly seeking healthier, more ethical alternatives to traditional pet foods, which are often made from low-quality meat and can be linked to health problems in pets. Cultivated meat offers a promising solution by providing high-quality, nutritious, and tasty food options for pets. This can solve the dilemma known as “the animal-lovers paradox”—the conflict where people love their pets but don’t want animals harmed for pet food.

“We don’t need to raise or kill any animals,” Mr. Ensor said, laying out the vision for Meatly, which got its cells from a single chicken egg. “Instead of 50 billion chickens a year, it’s one egg, one time, and we’ve created an infinite amount of meat.”

“Pet parents are crying out for a better way to feed their cats and dogs meat – we’re so excited to meet this demand,” he added.

Moreover, cultivated meat has the potential to lessen the environmental impact traditionally associated with animal agriculture, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use. Animal agriculture produces up to a fifth of planet-warming emissions, with meat consumption slated to grow up to 50 percent by 2050, according to the UN Environment Programme.

But lab-grown meat and other alternative proteins, including plant-based milks like oat, soy, and almond, have become contentious political issues in both Europe and the United States.

For instance, Alabama recently banned the sale of cell-cultivated meat in May, citing protection of the country’s farmers and national heritage. Similarly, Florida and Italy have already imposed bans on lab-grown meat, reflecting a cautious stance towards these emerging food technologies.

Read more: Selling Lab-Grown Meat in Alabama Could Land You in Jail

As we move forward, the integration of cultivated meat into the pet food market in the UK could set a precedent for other countries to follow. It represents not only a shift in how we think about meat production but also underscores a broader movement towards more humane and environmentally conscious consumer choices.

Published by Totally Vegan Buzz Team

The Totally Vegan Buzz Team are a gang of extremely entertaining writers who also happen to be vegan. Together, they bring you all the vegan infotainment you need - trends, news, quizzes and more. Leave them a comment! They love it when you guys say hi...

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