Are You Ready for Lab-Grown Meat?

As of August 26, 2020, the reality is that no lab or company has released a sellable product of lab-grown meat in supermarkets. Despite companies claiming to be close, none have broken the 30 dollars per pound barrier yet. The absence of widespread production facilities is another significant hurdle.

Complex Regulatory Landscape

The journey towards mass availability of lab-grown meat is laden with regulatory and technological challenges. In the United States, for example, the FDA has stringent regulations that meat derived from bioreactors must comply with. The European Union goes even further with its Noved Food regulation, which involves rigorous safety testing to approve new food products.

For a company to obtain permission to sell lab-grown meat in the EU, they must demonstrate that the product is safe for human consumption through extensive testing. Currently, no company has even begun this lengthy process.

Technological Limitations

In terms of technology, the current methods for producing lab-grown meat are far from mature. The cost of producing even a small portion is significantly higher than conventional meat, and the production process is relatively slow. These factors combined mean that the product is not yet economically viable for commercial scale.

While optimism prevails, the boldest forecasts suggest that lab-grown meat could become available within one to five years. When the technology and production capacities catch up, the first markets to see these products will likely be those where regulatory changes occur most rapidly.

leaders in the field: Memphis Meats

One of the pioneers in this field is Memphis Meats, a food technology company based in Berkeley, California. Founded by three scientists, the company is dedicated to developing sustainable cultured meat.

The team includes:

Uma Valeti: CEO, bringing extensive experience in biotechnology and entrepreneurship. Nicholas Genovese: Chief Scientific Officer, with a strong background in molecular biology and food science. Will Clem: Co-Founder, contributing to the development and management of the company's projects.

Memphis Meats is committed to advancing the research and development of lab-grown meat, pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible in food technology. Their work is crucial in paving the way for a more sustainable and ethical future in the meat industry.

Conclusion

The timeline for the commercial availability of lab-grown meat is still uncertain, but the efforts of companies like Memphis Meats are driving progress. As regulatory barriers are addressed and technology advances, the day when lab-grown meat is widely available in grocery stores may not be too far off.