Synthetic meat could be on the menu in the UK within two years, with applications submitted to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the national food regulator, at the end of last year.
Specifically, applications have been filed for cell-cultivated steak, beef, chicken and foie gras, with another 15 expected to be submitted in the next couple of years.
In October 2024, the FSA was awarded £1.6 million worth of Government funding to develop an efficient safety assessment for this group of foods.
The UK has already been identified as an attractive market for such products, thanks to its large number of vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians; a more open attitude towards new foods compared with many other European countries; and a robust financial sector that could support potential startups.
The FSA is now working on creating the assessment criteria to efficiently approve these products, with input from academic experts and the companies involved. Applications that have already been submitted to the FSA are being analysed.
In the meantime, here’s a closer look at what lab-grown meat is.
What is lab-grown meat?
Lab-grown meat has many names: cultivated meat, synthetic meat and cultured meat, among others. At its core, it refers to meat that is produced by growing animal cells rather than raising and slaughtering animals.
This method is particularly appealing to those who avoid meat due to concerns over animal welfare or environmental impact. The livestock industry is a significant contributor to rising global emissions and environmental degradation, with large-scale cattle farming leading to the destruction of habitats such as rainforests.
In contrast, cultivated meat requires far less land and water to produce while also sidestepping the ethical concerns associated with animal welfare. Although lab-grown meat is made from the same cells as traditional meat, further testing is still needed to ensure it is safe for human consumption.
Where is lab-grown meat already available worldwide?
The UK is not the first country to explore lab-grown meat. Singapore became the first to approve cultivated chicken for consumer sale in 2020, followed by the US in 2023. In 2024, Israel made history by approving cultivated steak for sale.
Numerous companies worldwide are developing various types of lab-grown meat, from steak and fish to pork and luxury products like foie gras. The sector is rapidly expanding as innovations in cellular agriculture continue to progress.
In the UK, cultivated meat is already making its way into the market — but not yet for humans. Meatly’s cultivated chicken has been approved for use in pet foods by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), allowing pets to enjoy lab-grown meat before humans can.
However, not all countries are embracing lab-grown meat. For instance, Italy has banned its sale, and certain states in the US have also imposed restrictions or outright bans on cultivated meat products. These regulatory stances reflect ongoing debates about the safety, ethics, and environmental impacts of lab-grown food.
