UK – Meatly, a British startup is poised to become the first company to bring cultivated meat products to market in the country.
The company, which specializes in crafting cultivated meat for pets, anticipates receiving regulatory approval for its cat food within the next three months, marking a significant milestone in the cultivation meat sector.
Meatly’s forthcoming product, tinned chicken for cats, represents a culmination of extensive research and development efforts. Combining cultivated chicken with pulses and vegetables, the company aims to provide pet owners with a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat-based pet foods.
The regulatory landscape surrounding novel foods like cultivated meat is also undergoing rapid evolution. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently announced plans to expedite the approval process for such products, acknowledging the need for a more streamlined approach to regulation in the post-Brexit era.
This shift is expected to pave the way for innovative companies like Meatly to bring their products to market more swiftly, thereby catalyzing further growth in the cultivated meat industry.
Founder and CEO, Owen Ensor, expressed confidence in Meatly’s imminent regulatory greenlight, stating, “We need cultivated meat now more than ever. Pet food is the natural starting point, given consumers’ excitement.”
By leveraging cutting-edge technology to produce meat from cell samples, Meatly aims to reduce the ecological footprint associated with livestock farming while meeting the dietary needs of pets.
However, while Meatly’s initial focus is on pet food, the company’s ambitions extend beyond the realm of animal nutrition.
Owen Ensor envisions cultivated meat as a solution to the environmental challenges posed by conventional meat production.
Moreover, Meatly’s foray into the cultivated meat market reflects a broader trend toward sustainable and ethical consumption practices. With consumers increasingly concerned about the environmental and ethical implications of their dietary choices, alternatives like cultivated meat offer a promising solution to these pressing issues.
In addition to Meatly, a burgeoning cohort of companies worldwide is actively engaged in developing cultivated meat products for pets. From Austria’s BioCraft Pet Nutrition to California’s Wild Earth, these companies are collectively driving innovation in the pet food industry while advancing the cause of sustainability.
Looking ahead, the regulatory landscape for cultivated meat remains a focal point of discussion among industry stakeholders. While regulatory approval for human consumption may still be several years away, recent initiatives by the FSA signal a commitment to expediting the approval process and fostering innovation in the food sector.
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