This Food Company Has Been Approved To Sell Cell-Cultivated Chicken In The US

Back in November 2022 we told ya’ll about UPSIDE Foods, a food company that specializes in cell-cultivated protein. Following their initial FDA approval for humans to consume lab-grown, or cell-cultivated meat, the company has successfully passed the USDA’s final inspection and can now bring their innovative protein to the public. 

This is a major step for cell-cultivated protein and is sure to spark a trend in the alternative meat market. UPSIDE Foods’ first offering will be their cell-cultivated chicken. It’s made by using real chicken cells without having to farm and slaughter millions of real chickens. Their aim is to give you the same taste, texture, and quality, but in a more sustainable way. 

Beyond this first step, UPSIDE Foods has a long road ahead that requires introducing and attracting consumers to try cell-cultivated protein. One major distinction they’ll have to clarify is the difference between processed foods and lab-grown. And although plant-based proteins are now commonplace, there still isn’t much long-term research into whether or not it’s actually healthy for you. U.S. approval aside, Italy also presents a hurdle, as they’ve recently banned lab-grown meat in the country.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it will take time and work for cell-cultivated protein to gain some momentum. If you live in San Francisco and are interested in being one of the first to try out UPSIDE Foods’ lab-grown chicken, visit their Instagram for more info.