Cell-Cultivated Chicken

• 28 Jun 2023

On June 21, 2023, two California-based companies, Good Meat and Upside Foods, received clearance from the U.S. government to produce and sell cell-cultivated chicken in the country.

The key points are:

• Definition: Cell-cultivated chicken refers to chicken meat that is grown in a laboratory or cultured meat facility through the isolation and replication of chicken cells.
• Environmental Impact: Cell-cultivated chicken is hailed as a significant step forward in reducing the carbon emissions associated with traditional meat production.
• It has the potential to address environmental concerns and contribute to sustainability efforts in the food industry.
• Growth Process: Chicken cells are isolated and placed in a suitable environment, such as a bioreactor, where they are provided with the necessary resources to grow and replicate. This process typically takes around two to three weeks.
• Safety Assessment: Companies producing cell-cultivated chicken are required to conduct safety assessments of their facilities and production processes. They may consult with regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to boost consumer and investor confidence.
• Global Market: Cell-cultivated meat, including chicken, is part of a growing market. Reports estimate that there are numerous companies worldwide working on alternative meat products, with projections of significant market growth in the coming years.
• Challenges: Despite the potential benefits, there are challenges to overcome, including consumer acceptance, cost, and resource requirements for the cultivation process.
• The cost of cell-cultivated meat is expected to remain high initially, and achieving taste and texture parity with traditional meat is an ongoing area of research.