Eating more plant-based alternatives to meat is one way to reduce the pressure on the planet.

However, we live in paradoxical times when the number of vegans and vegetarians are increasing yet so is demand for meat. Latest consumption figures show that per capita consumption of meat has continued to grow in Europe, the USA and worldwide.

Which begs the question, could cultured meat be the game-changer?

Unlike plant-based ‘meats’ headlined by the Impossible Burger, Beyond Meat or Quorn, cultured meat at the cellular level is undisputedly meat. Plant-based alternatives draw their protein from sources such as soya and peas.

Cultured

Lab-grown meat, ‘clean’ meat, ‘slaughter-free’ meat, ‘crafted’ meat; whatever you want to call it on the other hand is meat from the cells of animals. It is grown in a culture using the same kind of cells that would otherwise make up an animal.

The cells used to start off the process are harvested from a living animal using a harmless biopsy. These stem cells from the fat or muscle of an animal are placed in a culture medium – a nutrient-rich soup – that allows them to grow in a bioreactor similar to those used for fermenting beer and yoghurt. No GMO is required.

The cells then do just what comes naturally: they multiply, and to staggering effect: a single sample from a cow being enough to produce 80,000 quarter pounders.

Global Precedent

Which brings us back to the historic breakthrough of a US-based company getting the go-ahead to sell cultured chicken in Singapore. The news paves the way for the first commercial launch of the product that promises to revolutionise the way the world looks at meat. Serving in one restaurant to start off with will be a huge milestone reached. The company sees it as just the beginning.

Why World’s First Approval For Cultured Meat Is Good For Us All