Top stories in Cultivated Meat – January 2025
???????Grégory MAUBON, PhD
Leading innovation, on the field, with purpose | #AugmentedReality | #Advisor | #UnSpeaker | #Industry #DataScience #AI #CultivatedMeat | PhD Astrophysics
January 2025 has kicked off with the kind of news that makes you wonder if your next pet’s dinner might be trendier than your own. Yes, lab-grown meat isn’t just heading to your plate; it’s also eyeing your cat’s bowl with ambitions as bold as a Labrador chasing a Frisbee.
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In the news, the UK took a bold step forward with RSSL launching the country’s first Novel Foods Expert Network (NFX UK), backed by Innovate UK, Imperial College London, and The Supplant Company. This initiative is set to become a key hub for learning and promoting innovations in novel foods. Meanwhile, Generate opened an exciting call for startups working on clean-label food ingredients, offering support to accelerate their growth. The pet food industry also made headlines, with predictions that lab-grown meat could revolutionize what Fido eats, positioning the UK as a potential leader in this niche market. Adding a futuristic twist, we at Cultivated Meat News introduced an AI-powered editorial team, promising to streamline coverage of the industry.
When it comes to companies and key players, scalability and cost-effectiveness took center stage (again). WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS announced innovations to make cultivated meat more affordable and supermarket-ready. China entered the scene with an $11 million alternative protein hub in Beijing, signaling strong government support. Certification standards also evolved with V-Label introducing the “C-Label” for cultivated food products, enhancing consumer trust, with Meatly being the first to get certified. Mosa Meat made double headlines by applying for EU approval to sell lab-grown beef fat and launching a crowdfunding campaign to accelerate their Mosa Burgers. In Japan, IntegriCulture unveiled a starter kit for lab-grown meat research, and Umami Bioworks rode the TikTok wave by launching lab-grown caviar aimed at Gen Z. Not to be outdone, CULT Food Science expanded its Noochies! pet food line internationally, and Qkine launched high-quality growth factors to support large-scale production.
On the market and investment front, the cultivated meat industry showed both promise and challenges. The Economic Research Service highlighted the sector’s rapid growth, with over 200 firms globally and $5 billion invested to date. However, the Tufts cell ag innovation day revealed concerns about dwindling private funding, raising alarms about the need for public investment. Despite these hurdles, cultivated meat’s popularity surged in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by sustainability concerns, with Singapore leading the charge.
Political uncertainties also loomed large, with questions about potential regulatory bans in the US under a possible Trump administration, especially given opposition from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. T. Missouri added to the legislative buzz with a new bill proposing stricter labeling for alternative meat products to prevent consumer deception.
In the realm of research, Tufts University delved into the socio-economic impacts of cellular agriculture on traditional farming communities, aiming to understand how this technological shift could reshape rural economies. Meanwhile, engineers at Hebrew University pushed the boundaries of food science by developing metamaterials that mimic the texture and structure of real meat, potentially revolutionizing how cultivated meat feels and tastes.
As January draws to a close, the cultivated meat landscape seems to be simmering with innovations, investments, and a fair share of controversies, proving that the future of food is anything but bland.
See you next month!
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RSSL establishes UK’s first Novel Foods Expert Network January 30, 2025
RSSL, in partnership with Imperial College London and The Supplant Company, has secured funding from Innovate UK to establish the UK’s first Novel Foods Expert Network (NFX UK). This pioneering platform aims to accelerate innovation in the novel foods sector by serving as a central hub for learning resources, promoting…?Read more: RSSL establishes UK’s first Novel Foods Expert Network
Generate’s open call seeks startups developing innovative food ingredients across clean label, natural preservatives, upcycled proteins, plant-based solutions, and more. Targeting TRL 3+ startups, the program offers 12-18 month support including facilities, expertise, and commercialization assistance. Selection criteria emphasize relevance to key food categories and scalability potential. The initiative aims…?Read more: Generate launches open call for startups to revolutionize food ingredients
Lab-grown meat is the future for pet food – and that’s a huge opportunity for Britain January 7, 2025
While the EU and US hesitate, the UK can become world leader in this burgeoning – and cruelty-free – innovation, says Guardian editorial data analyst Lucy McCormick This article discusses the potential for lab-grown meat to transform the pet food industry, reducing its significant environmental impact. The UK has approved…?Read more: Lab-grown meat is the future for pet food – and that’s a huge opportunity for Britain
[PR] Cultivated Meat News Introduces AI-Powered Editorial Team to Revolutionize Media Coverage January 7, 2025
[Lille (France), 07/01/25] — Cultivated Meat News, the premier media platform dedicated to advancing public understanding of cultivated meat, proudly announces the launch of an AI-powered editorial team. This groundbreaking initiative leverages artificial intelligence to enhance reporting accuracy, streamline content production, and provide unparalleled insights into the cultivated meat industry.…?Read more: [PR] Cultivated Meat News Introduces AI-Powered Editorial Team to Revolutionize Media Coverage
Novo Nordisk Foundation establishes Biotechnology Research Institute for Green Transition (BRIGHT) January 4, 2025
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is establishing BRIGHT, a new biotechnology research institute at the Technical University of Denmark, with funding of up to DKK 1.05 billion over 7 years. BRIGHT aims to advance bioproduction methods to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, focusing on sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for…?Read more: Novo Nordisk Foundation establishes Biotechnology Research Institute for Green Transition (BRIGHT)
Cultivated meat – Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report January 2, 2025
The cultivated meat industry has experienced a plateau in patent filings after rapid growth from 2019-2021, likely due to economic challenges and a shift towards scaling up production. The US remains the leader in new filings, with Europe second and the UK showing significant growth. Regulatory approvals have been granted…?Read more
Companies and key players
We’re Making Cultivated Meat Cost-Effective and Scalable, Bringing It Closer to Supermarket Shelves January 28, 2025
Iris Maria Dahlem, Innovation Manager at WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS, highlights the company’s role in advancing cultivated meat production through biotechnology. WACKER develops essential proteins and molecules for cell culture media at food-grade quality and cost-effective prices, addressing key industry challenges of scalability and affordability. Their approach aligns with sustainability goals, aiming…?Read more: We’re Making Cultivated Meat Cost-Effective and Scalable, Bringing It Closer to Supermarket Shelves
China Opens $11M Lab-Grown Meat Hub with Local Government Support January 27, 2025
China has launched its first alternative protein center in Beijing, focusing on cultivated meat and fermentation-derived products. The $11M facility, supported by local government and businesses, aims to bridge gaps in China’s alt-protein ecosystem. It features advanced cell culture and microbial protein production lines, with plans for expansion. The center…?Read more: China Opens $11M Lab-Grown Meat Hub with Local Government Support
V-Label, known for vegan and vegetarian certification, launches C-Label for cultivated food products. Requirements include animal-free cell media, painless procedures, GMO-free end products, no antibiotics, limited cell extraction, and use of immortalized cells. UK-based Meatly becomes first C-Label certified producer. Certification aims to enhance consumer understanding and trust in cultivated…?Read more: V-Label Introduces C-Label, a New Certification for Cultivated Food Products
领英推荐
Dutch company Mosa Meat has applied to sell lab-grown beef fat in the EU, aiming to enhance plant-based meat alternatives. The fat could make veggie burgers more appealing to meat lovers. Lab-grown meat is produced from animal cells cultured in a nutrient-rich environment. While Mosa Meat’s long-term goal is a…?Read more: Dutch company seeks EU approval to sell lab-grown beef fat – Euractiv
Mosa Meat launches crowdfunding campaign January 24, 2025
Mosa Meat, a cultivated meat company, has launched a crowd-funding campaign soon after applying for EU regulatory approval. The campaign, hosted on Crowdcube, aims to speed up R&D, regulatory efforts, and fund marketing for their first product, Mosa Burgers. Early access is offered to employees and supporters, but not available…?Read more: Mosa Meat launches crowdfunding campaign
Japanese Company Launches Starter Kit for Lab-Grown Meat January 23, 2025
IntegriCulture, a Tokyo-based startup, has launched a Cell-Cultured Meat Starter Kit to accelerate R&D in cultivated meat. The kit includes a novel oxygen-permeable bioreactor, culture medium, and other essential tools, simplifying the prototyping process for researchers and startups. It aims to reduce costs, time, and expertise needed for cell culture,…?Read more: Japanese Company Launches Starter Kit for Lab-Grown Meat
Umami Bioworks Taps Into Gen Z TikTok Trend with Lab-Grown Caviar January 21, 2025
Umami Bioworks, a Singapore-based cellular agriculture company, has introduced cultivated caviar for high-end markets. The product blends cultured sturgeon cells with plant-based ingredients, targeting sustainability-conscious Gen Z and millennial consumers driving caviar demand. It aims to address environmental and ethical issues in conventional caviar production, including overfishing of critically endangered…?Read more: Umami Bioworks Taps Into Gen Z TikTok Trend with Lab-Grown Caviar
CULT Food Science Subsidiary Further Foods Announces Expansion of Noochies! International Distribution January 18, 2025
CULT Food Science’s subsidiary, Further Foods, announces international expansion of Noochies!, securing initial orders from distributors in Singapore, Europe, and Canada. This marks a significant milestone in the brand’s growth strategy, offering sustainable, high-protein pet food alternatives made without factory farming. The expansion includes both freeze-dried treats and the new…?Read more: CULT Food Science Subsidiary Further Foods Announces Expansion of Noochies! International Distribution
Qkine, a UK protein manufacturer, has launched high-quality food-grade growth factors for cellular agriculture, addressing a key challenge in developing serum-free cell culture media for large-scale production. The animal-free factors aim to support scalable ingredient supply chains critical for the cultivated meat and dairy industry. Qkine emphasizes quality control, ISO…?Read more
Market, investment, prospective
The Economics of Cellular Agriculture –? Economic Research Service January 19, 2025
Since the early 2000s, scientists have been researching methods to produce food equivalent to animal-derived products with minimal or no reliance on animals. This emerging sector, known as cellular agriculture, has seen significant growth and investment, with over 200 private firms worldwide and more than $5 billion invested in cell-culture…?Read more: The Economics of Cellular Agriculture –? Economic Research Service
Cultivated Meat at a crossroads: Tufts cell ag innovation day January 17, 2025
This comprehensive summary of the Tufts cell ag innovation day, delves into the challenges and potential future of the cultivated meat industry. Despite private funding drying up in 2024 and warnings of the sector’s struggle without public money, some experts remain optimistic. The science has advanced significantly, though valuations are…?Read more: Cultivated Meat at a crossroads: Tufts cell ag innovation day
This episode of The Startup CPG Podcast features a panel of four active food investors discussing trends and advice for early-stage CPG brands. The panelists are Greer Tessler from Simple Food Ventures, Daniel Fairman from Habitat Partners, Carolyn Simmons from Melitas Ventures, and Andrew Reynolds from RCV Frontline. The investors…?Read more: The Startup CPG Podcast | #173 – The Food Investors: Capital for Emerging CPGs
Will RFK Ban Lab-Grown Meat?? January 8, 2025
The article discusses the uncertain future of lab-grown meat under a potential second Trump administration. While Trump’s first term supported cultivated meat, key figures in his potential new administration, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and JD Vance, oppose it. The industry faces potential regulatory hurdles and bans, despite progress in…?Read more: Will RFK Ban Lab-Grown Meat??
Popularity of cultivated meat on rise in APAC, says GlobalData January 1, 2025
Cultivated meat popularity is rising in APAC due to increasing protein demand and sustainability concerns. Singapore leads this cultural shift, aiming to become a global leader. Traditional livestock farming causes environmental issues, while lab-grown meat offers a sustainable alternative. GlobalData’s survey shows 81% of Asia & Australasia respondents prioritize sustainability…?Read more
Laws, ethics and lobbies
Which Countries Benefit From Lab-Grown Meat Bans in Trump’s America? January 29, 2025
The article discusses the potential impact of Donald Trump’s return to presidency on cultivated meat bans in the US and which countries could benefit from such policies. Trump’s administration is expected to be hostile towards climate initiatives and alternative proteins. Several US states have already banned or attempted to ban…?Read more: Which Countries Benefit From Lab-Grown Meat Bans in Trump’s America?
Labeling bill filed in Missouri January 3, 2025
Missouri Representative Dean Van Schoiack introduced HB 211, a bill requiring descriptive labels on alt-meat products. The bill aims to ensure truthful advertising and prevent consumer deception. It specifies that conventional meat products won’t require special labeling. The legislation must pass both House and Senate and receive gubernatorial approval to…?Read more
Research
Tufts University researchers investigate how a shift to cellular agriculture could affect farmers, meatpacking workers, and communities January 20, 2025
Tufts University researchers are studying how the shift to cellular agriculture could impact farmers, meatpacking workers, and communities in the conventional beef industry. The project aims to understand potential disruptions and opportunities, focusing on regions with significant beef production. Researchers will conduct interviews and surveys to gauge attitudes across the…?Read more: Tufts University researchers investigate how a shift to cellular agriculture could affect farmers, meatpacking workers, and communities
Crafting the perfect bite of meat: Engineers develop metamaterials that mimic muscle and fat architecture January 13, 2025
Engineers at Hebrew University have developed metamaterials that mimic muscle and fat architecture to create realistic meat analogs. The innovation uses two novel materials: a low-temperature meat analog (LTMA) replicating muscle fibers, and proteoleogel (PtoG) emulating fat. These are combined via injection molding, allowing scalable production of complex meat cuts…?Read more