Meatly, a pioneering company in the cultivated meat industry, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving regulatory clearance to sell cultivated meat for pet food in the United Kingdom. This authorization marks Meatly as the first company to gain approval for cultivated pet food in the UK.
The approval process involved close collaboration between Meatly and key UK regulatory bodies including the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Meatly has diligently adhered to all regulatory requirements, successfully passing APHA’s stringent inspection process. Ongoing inspections by APHA will continue to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Meatly’s breakthrough allows for the sale of its cultivated chicken specifically designed for pet consumption in the UK. The company has proactively prepared a comprehensive safety dossier and conducted extensive testing to demonstrate the safety and health benefits of its cultivated chicken for pets. Tests have confirmed the absence of bacteria and viruses, ensured the safety of nutrients used in cell growth, and verified that the final product is free from GMOs, antibiotics, harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and other impurities.
Owen Ensor, CEO of Meatly, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “Today marks a significant milestone for the European cultivated meat industry. Meatly is leading the way by proving that there is a safe and economically viable path to bring cultivated meat to market swiftly.”
As a registered feed business operator, Meatly’s production facility has received approval from DEFRA and APHA to produce and handle cultivated chicken. The company plans to introduce its commercially available pet food samples later this year, marking a pioneering entry into the cultivated pet food market. Future plans include scaling production to industrial volumes within the next three years, focusing on cost reduction initiatives.
The regulatory approval underscores Meatly’s position at the forefront of the cultivated meat sector, achieved through significant milestones and strategic partnerships. With £3.5 million (U.S.$4.6 million) in investment backing, Meatly has not only secured regulatory clearance within two years of operation but has also developed protein-free media at a cost-efficient rate of less than £1 per liter, thereby reducing production costs substantially. Collaborations with leading pet food brands further enhance Meatly’s market presence.
“We’re thrilled to have collaborated proactively with UK regulators to demonstrate the safety and nutritional benefits of Meatly chicken for pets,” Ensor commented. “This approval allows us to meet the demand for a sustainable and compassionate way to feed pets while reducing our environmental impact.”
Jim Mellon, founder of Agronomics and an investor in Meatly, emphasized the significance of Meatly’s regulatory milestone, stating, “Meatly’s approval marks a pivotal moment for the industry. Through innovation and regulatory cooperation, Meatly is paving the way for commercializing cultivated pet food products across the UK, contributing to reduced emissions, resource consumption, and animal welfare improvements.”
Meatly’s achievement not only advances the availability of sustainable pet food but also highlights a promising future for the cultivated meat industry in addressing global food sustainability challenges.
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