Lab-grown chicken to be sold for the first time ever

SINGAPORE – Meat grown in a laboratory. It might have seemed like a thing out of a science fiction movie decades ago, but it’s an innovation available today. San Francisco-based startup Eat Just announced on December 2 that it got the green light to lab-grown chicken meat. 

The product, also known as the world’s first “clean meat,” went through a strict and rigorous review process prior to approval. This innovation marks history as the first-ever regulatory approval for cultured meat in the world.

The “chicken” meat will initially be available in nuggets. The company also said that the manufacturing process wouldn’t use antibiotics. The protein content is also higher compared to real chicken. And as for nutritional value, the company describes the product as a “rich source of minerals.”

Eat Just wants to make the product readily accessible to the public. In fact, their first restaurant in Singapore is in the works. This strategy aims to introduce cultured meat to consumers alongside selling it in supermarkets within the city-state.

As for the price point, the company says the cultured meat will cost at a price parity of premium chicken. That said, it might be a bit pricier than the usual chicken meat.

Largest Plant-based Protein Facility in Asia

In November 2018, Eat Just launched a plant-based egg product made from green beans, called Just Egg. In October this year, the company announced its plans to establish the largest plant-based egg protein production facility in Singapore. The project is a venture in partnership with a consortium led by Proterra Asia, an investment firm.

Proterra will reportedly invest around US$100 million, while Eat Just will invest up to USD$20 million to build and operate the plant expected to produce thousands of metric tons of protein.

Many see the Singapore protein facility as a promising venture in Asia, with large-scale production facilities only available in the U.S. and Germany. Plant-based eggs reportedly produce less carbon emission and use less water and land compared to chicken farms.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the plant also creates job opportunities within the area.

The Demand for Meat Alternatives

Though it’s unclear when exactly Eat Just’s product will hit the market, many anticipate a positive response among consumers. After all, demand for meat alternatives rose over the past few years because of concerns about health, animal rights, and environmental protection. 

However, it’s crucial to note that Eat Just’s cultured chicken meat isn’t exactly plant-based like Just Egg. Instead, the product consists of animal muscle cells grown in a lab. This sets the product apart from products offered by plant-based meat options. Two of the most popular meat alternative providers, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, use wheat protein, pea protein, soy protein, and flour to simulate chicken.

Besides Eat Just, several companies are attempting to offer cultured meat to market, including Israeli Future Meat Technologies and Memphis Meats, a company backed by Bill Gates. 

Singapore-based Shiok Meats, on the other hand, is focused on providing lab-grown crustacean meats to consumers.