The world’s first lab-grown meat for dogs has gone on sale in the United Kingdom, thanks to London based startup, Meatly.
This was revealed in a Reddit post on 6 of February. Reports say the meat named ‘Chick Bites’ was produced through partnership between Meatly and plant-based dog food brand, THE PACK.
Meatly claims the lab-grown meat is just as tasty as the real chicken breast, and will hit the shelves in the UK on Friday.
A long dream coming true
The idea of eating lab-grown meat has been around for some time now, but is only becoming a reality with this recent development.
Proponents of the idea claim it is a way of mitigating climate change and pressure on the earth by not rearing livestock. Owen Ensor, Founding CEO of Meatly, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to introduce cultivated meat to the pet world. Just two years ago this felt like a moon shot. Today we take off. It’s a giant leap forward – toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals.
According to the company, only a small sample of cells taken from an egg is used in the process as animal substance.
Subsequently, the cells are cultured in the lab and scientists infuse them with the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed for them to grow into meat.
They are then nurtured in a container that controls temperature and acidity, through a process similar to that of making yogurt.
The first batch of the artificial meat will be available for sale on Friday 7 February by pet food retailer, Pets at Home. The meat is however more expensive than natural meat, but the retailer believes it’s worth it.
Anja Madsen, Chief Operating Officer, Pets at Home said:
“At Pets at Home, we’re guided by our purpose to create a better world for pets and the people who love them, and that includes looking after our planet.”
Are humans next?
Now that lab-grown food has become a reality, the quest is, are humans the next to start eating such synthetic food?
This may not be far from becoming a reality because if dogs can have such food, then humans who are the main proponents of “caring for the environment” will likely follow suit.
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