In the coming years, lab-grown meat may become available on U.K. supermarket shelves, thanks to an approximately $2 million government investment intended to support cell-cultivated food research.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been awarded funding to develop a program that will evaluate the safety of these products and facilitate their regulatory approval, marking a significant step forward for the U.K.'s food industry.
The U.K., known for its high number of vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians, presents a promising market for lab-grown meat.
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Advisor for the FSA, explained that earning consumer trust is key to introducing these new food sources, according to The Guardian. The FSA will work with experts over the next two years to create safety standards that companies can follow, aiming to make the approval process quicker and more efficient.
What Is Lab-Grown Meat?
Lab-grown meat, also known as cell-cultivated meat or cultured meat, is made by growing animal cells in a controlled setting, eliminating the need for traditional livestock farming. While it resembles meat, this product technically falls under the category of animal-based food rather than traditional meat.
The process involves cultivating cells in a nutrient-rich liquid, which encourages them to grow into muscle, fat and other tissues that resemble real meat.
Globally, lab-grown meat first gained approval in Singapore in 2020, where cultivated chicken became available at select restaurants. The U.S. followed in 2023, approving lab-grown chicken for consumers, and Israel recently approved cultivated steak. These countries represent a small but growing market for cell-cultivated foods, though availability remains limited.
One of the primary reasons lab-grown meat is gaining attention is its potential environmental impact. Conventional meat production requires significant resources, including land and water, and is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions.
Lab-grown meat could offer a more sustainable alternative by reducing the need for resources and decreasing emissions. Additionally, proponents argue that lab-grown meat may offer health benefits, as it eliminates bacteria like E. coli and salmonella often found in traditionally farmed meat. Since lab-grown meat does not require antibiotics, it could also address concerns about antibiotic resistance.
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The Risks of Lab-Grown Meat
While lab-grown meat offers benefits, there are still hurdles to overcome before it can reach consumers. Critics highlight potential safety risks, as some chemicals used to stimulate cell growth might remain in the final product.
May noted that part of the FSA's research will focus on ensuring these products are safe to eat and free from unintended genetic modifications. The FSA expects that its safety program will address these concerns by setting strict standards for cultivated meat production. This two-year initiative will involve consultations with experts and collaboration with Food Standards Scotland.
The agency is also working to develop clear guidelines that will allow lab-grown meat companies to meet U.K. regulations while ensuring the safety and quality of their products.
The U.K.'s proactive approach to lab-grown meat puts it at the forefront of food innovation in Europe. The FSA has already received applications for various cultivated products, including steak, chicken and foie gras, with another 15 applications expected over the next two years.
If approved, these products could help address sustainability and animal welfare concerns while offering consumers new choices.
Although some countries remain hesitant to embrace lab-grown meat, with Italy and states like Florida implementing bans, the U.K. is taking steps to support the development of this technology. Recently, the .U.K became the first European country to approve lab-grown meat for pet food, a move that could pave the way for broader acceptance of these products.
Linus Pardoe of the Good Food Institute Europe emphasized the importance of government support for lab-grown meat, noting that further investments would help the FSA carry out detailed safety assessments, according to The Independent.
He believes that with enough funding, the U.K. can maintain its high food safety standards while embracing new technologies.
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