Factory-grown meat for dog food has officially launched in the UK.
The supplier, Meatly, announced that its “chick bites” represent the first commercially available pet food products created from cultivated meat anywhere in the world.
According to the company, this innovative approach might ultimately “remove farm animals from the pet food sector” and contribute to lower carbon emissions while decreasing land and water use in meat production.
A pilot program for the dog treats commenced at a pet shop in Brentford, London, on Friday.
Owen Ensor, who established Meatly in London in 2022, explained that the production method is akin to brewing beer.
He commented, “We extract cells from a single chicken egg, allowing us to produce an endless supply of meat indefinitely. We place these cells in large steel fermenters, and after about a week, we can harvest nutritious and tasty chicken for our pets.”
Lab-cultivated meat, which is genetically identical to conventionally produced meat, has sparked debate in several nations.
In 2020, Singapore became the first country to permit the sale of cell-cultivated meat for human consumption, followed by the United States three years later.
Nonetheless, bans have been implemented in Italy as well as the US states of Alabama and Florida.
Proponents highlight the environmental advantages, whereas critics claim that cultivated meat is costly and could negatively impact traditional farming.
Prof. Guy Poppy from the University of Bristol remarked that it addresses issues related to animal welfare.
The former chief scientific advisor for the government’s Food Standards Agency commented, “This offers the benefits of meat without the associated carbon and environmental impacts.”
Prof. Andrew Knight of the University of Winchester noted, “Approximately 20% of all meat consumed in pet-heavy countries, like the UK, is eaten by pets rather than humans.”
In a Bristol pet store and cafe, dog owners shared their mixed opinions with the BBC.
Charlotte Bloyce expressed that she considered her pet’s carbon footprint important, while Allie Betts stated she wouldn’t eat lab-grown meat herself and hesitated to feed it to her dog.
The British Veterinary Association mentioned to the BBC that it seeks additional research into the safety and sustainability of cultivated meat.
Mr. Ensor acknowledged that it is understandable for people to feel “a bit squeamish” about this product.
However, he asserted that it has been approved by food safety regulators and does not include hormones, steroids, or other chemicals often present in meat.
The CEO of Meatly stated that the product has become significantly more commercially feasible.
He admitted, “It is still costly at the moment, but we have made substantial progress in reducing expenses considerably over the past two years, and we plan to keep doing so.”
