LOS ANGELES: US regulators have approved the sale of cell-cultured chicken to consumers in a landmark decision, the two start-ups that received the first approval said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued approval to two start-ups – GOOD Meat and UPSIDE Foods. Both companies had already received the go-ahead months earlier from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which said each company’s lab-grown chicken is safe for human consumption.
“This landmark clearance means the firm’s chicken, which is made directly from animal cells, can now be sold to American consumers,” GOOD Meat said in a statement.
In order to be cleared to produce and sell cultivated meat, UPSIDE Foods’ team of food scientists, molecular biologists and technical engineers had to pass three extensive regulatory steps: “No Questions” Letter from the FDA, USDA Label Approval and USDA Grant of Inspection, said the company in a statement.
Cultured meat, also known as cultivated, cell-based or lab-grown protein, is made by putting stem cells from an animal in a vessel called a cultivator, and feeding them the right blend of nutrients to multiply and grow.
After two to three weeks, the meat is harvested, formulated and is ready, according to UPSIDE Foods. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
