U.S. approves sale of cell cultured chicken to two start-ups

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the sale of cell-cultured chicken in a landmark decision that clears the path for consumers to try it out themselves, the two start-ups that received the first approvals said Wednesday.

Cultured meat, also known as cultivated, cell-based or lab-grown protein, is made by putting stem cells from the fat or muscle of an animal into a culture medium that feeds the cells, allowing them to grow. The medium is then put into a bioreactor to support the cells’ growth, creating an end product that looks and tastes like traditional meat.

Outside the U.S., only Singapore has cleared the sale of cell-cultured meat.

The USDA issued approval to Good Meat, a subsidiary of Eat Just, along with Upside Foods. Both companies had already received the go-ahead months earlier from the Food and Drug Administration, which said each company’s lab-grown chicken is safe for human consumption. Good Meat has also received approval to sell its cultured meat in Singapore.

“This announcement that we’re now able to produce and sell cultivated meat in the United States is a major moment for our company, the industry and the food system,” Eat Just CEO and co-founder Josh Tetrick said in a statement.

Upside Foods announced that it has already processed its first order for cultivated chicken. Chef Dominique Crenn will serve it in a limited quantities at Bar Crenn in San Francisco.

“This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table,” Upside founder and CEO Uma Valeti said in a statement. “It’s a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future – one that preserves choice and life.”