FDA says lab-grown meat is safe for human consumption

Uma Valeti, CEO and founder, UPSIDE Foods speaks at the 2021 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, October 18, 2021.

The FDA cleared a lab-grown meat product developed by a California start-up as safe for human consumption, making it the first lab-grown meat product cleared for sale in the US.

The FDA cleared Upside Foods, formerly known as Memphis Meats, to use animal cell culture technology to make cultured animal cell food.

The agency said it had no further questions about the safety of the cultivated chicken filet. Once it is inspected by the USDA, the company will be able to bring its products to market.

The world is experiencing a food revolution and the US FDA is committed to supporting innovation in the food supply.

The global cultivated meat industry, which is backed by more than $2 billion in investments, would play a major role in making the food system more sustainable.

The FDA is willing to work with additional firms developing cultured animal cell food and production processes. There are different types of products made from cultured animal cells, including those made from seafood cells.

The founder of Upside Foods said in a statement that this is a landmark moment in the history of food. It marks a major step towards a new era in meat production, and I'm thrilled that U.S. consumers will soon be able to eat delicious meat that's grown directly from animal cells.