Artificially created lab-grown meat is soon to be popular alternative to organic meat. However, as with any new alternative, many are worried that the artificially grown food may not be safe to eat.
Lab-grown foods have made waves over the past few years, going as far as to create 3D printed Wagyu steaks. The faux-food tech has even resulted in factories producing 15,000 tonnes of artificial meat per year.
Nevertheless, there are many who will claim that the lab-grown food is unsafe to consume. Despite those claims, the FDA has officially stated that the “no kill” alternative is entirely safe for humans to eat.
In an announcement published on Wednesday, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) confirmed that lab-grown meat passes every safety requirement. While US safety requirements for food are certainly more lax than other parts of the world, this is a good sign for the future of no kill meats.
The announcement specifically focuses on the meat grown by UPSIDE Foods. This company grows meat in a lab by cultivating animal cells, allowing the creation of vast quantities without killing. This means that companies will be able to meat increasing demand without unethical farming practices.
However, this doesn’t mean that the meat is ready for mass market. In fact, even after passing FDA regulations, there are still more checks that need to be done. Afterwards, you should expect to see faux meat pop up in restraints and supermarkets.
Following the FDA approval, UPSIDE Foods needs to pass an inspection from the USDA-FSIS. If the meat passes the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service’s tests, it will be sold.
UPSIDE Foods claims that its meats are not just better for the environment, but better for you. Cultivated meats have the possibility of containing less calories than traditional meat. On the other hand, it can have slightly less nutrients, so it balances out.
By far the most important factor of this faux food is the fact that it can be safer. As its creation is overseen within a lab, lab-grown meat should have a vastly lower risk of spreading E. coli, Salmonella or Campylobacter.
Nevertheless, there will always be some people who will refuse to accept artificial alternatives. No matter what, there will be those who refuse to even try the faux food. Are you one of them?