the UK becomes Europe’s first country to sell lab-grown meat for pets

Meatly is the first company in the world to sell cultured meat for pets, having launched its first product, "Chick Bites", in the UK

The United Kingdom has taken the lead in Europe by becoming the first country where pets may be fed food with lab-grown meat. British firm Meatly launched the product on February 7.

A revolutionary product that doesn’t require animal slaughter

Meatly was established in 2021 and has come up with an innovative product that eliminates the need to kill animals. The technology uses high-end tech to culture cells from a small sample that is taken from an egg, producing a pâté-like substance that is real chicken—without killing any animals.

“Two years ago, we thought this was mission impossible. Now we stand ready to fly off into a big market for healthy, sustainable meat that gives back to the planet,” said Owen Ensor, founder of Meatly.

Chick Bites: lab-grown chicken mixed with plant-based proteins

The edible product, labeled Chick Bites, is made up of cell-cultured chicken mixed with plant proteins. This is what the company indicates:

“Meatly Chicken is every bit as tasty and nutritious as regular chicken breast and contains all the essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins for pet well-being.”

The product was initially rolled out as a test release in Pets at Home in Brentford, a leading pet retailer in the UK. Distribution, however, will roll out in stages to more than 400 stores nationwide.

The status of lab-grown meat for pets in the United States

Lab-grown meat for human consumption has already received regulatory approval in the United States, with GOOD Meat and UPSIDE Foods leading the pack. For pet food, however, it is still an emerging situation. Some startups, such as Bond Pet Foods, are creating lab-grown protein alternatives for use in animal food, but no product is yet fully commercialized.

FDA and USDA are still working on regulations for culturing meat to be utilized in the pet trade, so although innovation is ongoing, mass-retail availability remains under development.