The world's first lab-grown meat for pets goes on sale.
Dogs in the UK will be able to enjoy a small portion of lab-grown meat as a treat.
Dog treats made from lab-grown meat have been launched in the UK, which, according to the manufacturers, marks a global milestone. The new Chick Bites will initially be available at a single pet store starting Friday, although Meatly plans to increase its production and expects its cultivated meat to be accessible in more locations as it expands its production.
The UK became the first European country to approve the sale of cultivated meat, granting Meatly authorization to produce pet food in July 2024. The company claims to be a pioneer in manufacturing pet food using cultivated meat, considering it a step towards a significant market for meat that is healthy, sustainable, and environmentally friendly for animals.
The Chick Bites were developed by Meatly in collaboration with The Pack, a British brand of vegan dog food. The treats are made from a blend of plant-based ingredients and chicken cultivated by Meatly, although the company has not specified the proportion of cultivated meat in the product. This chicken was obtained from a single cell sample from an egg, and the manufacturers assert that it is “as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken,” containing essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins for dogs' health.
The launch of the Chick Bites is scheduled for February 7, but availability is limited to one branch of Pets at Home in Brentford, England. Pets at Home is a major investor in Meatly and points out that this technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet food.
Although this limited edition of Chick Bites is just a first step, Meatly anticipates more collaborations with The Pack and Pets at Home while working to increase its production, aiming for its cultivated chicken to be more accessible within three to five years. On a broader level, cultivated meat products have yet to receive approval for human consumption in the UK and Europe, although they are approved in places like Singapore, Israel, and most of the U.S., despite recent restrictions in Florida and Alabama. The industry faces significant challenges in scaling its production to a commercially viable level, and while Meatly has not yet reached this goal, it states that this week's launch demonstrates that “there is an efficient and profitable route to market.”