The UK’s first ever lab-made meat products for pets have been given the green light to hit supermarket shelves across the nation.
Meatly, a feed business operator, has today announced that it has been given clearance to sell cultivated meat in the UK.
It is the first brand in the world to get authorisation for cultivated pet food, as reported by Need To Know.
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The company takes a sample of cells from a chicken egg, which scientists then nurture in large containers at their lab in west London.
The containers control the temperature and the PH levels in a process similar to the making of yoghurt or beer.
It steadily provides all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids the cells need to grow.
This process continues until the cells have transformed into delicious healthy meat for our beloved pets.
Once the meat is ready, Meatly teams up with pet food manufacturers.
The announcement, made on 17 July, comes after a collaborative process between Meatly and the UK’s regulatory bodies.
This included the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The government departments have stated that Meatly products comply with all necessary regulations.
Testing conducted by Meatly showed the product is bacteria and virus free and that the nutrients used in the growing process are safe.
The product itself is safe, nutritious and free of impurities that could harm an animal.
Plans to launch the first samples of its pet food will take place this year.
Owen Ensor, Meatly CEO said: “Today marks a significant milestone for the European cultivated meat industry.
“I’m incredibly proud that Meatly is the first company in Europe to get the green light to sell cultivated meat.
“We are proving that there is a safe and low-capital way to rapidly bring cultivated meat to market.
“We’re delighted to have worked proactively alongside the UK’s regulators to showcase that Meatly chicken is safe and healthy for pets.
“Pet parents are crying out for a better way to feed their cats and dogs meat – we’re so excited to meet this demand.
“We can now continue our mission to give consumers an easy choice – ensuring we can feed our beloved pets the real meat they need and crave, in a way that is kinder to our planet and other animals.”
Jim Mellon, Founder of Agronomics, an investor in Meatly, said: “Meatly’s regulatory approval is a landmark event for the industry.
“Through its technological innovation and close work with governing authorities, Meatly is helping prove that we can succeed in commercialising cultivated products for pets across the UK.
“Our pets consume huge amounts of meat every day and so this development can play a crucial part in reducing the emissions, resource consumption, and animal suffering caused by traditional meat production.”
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