Key Takeaways
- UPSIDE Foods and Good Meat receive USDA approval to sell cultivated meat products in the U.S.
- UPSIDE plans to launch its cultivated chicken at Bar Crenn in San Francisco, while Good Meat partners with Chef José Andrés in Washington, D.C.
- Despite the approval, consumers may face delays as cultivated meat remains limited to high-end restaurants for now.
USDA Approval Marks Milestone for Cultivated Meat
Today marks a significant advancement in the cultivated meat industry as UPSIDE Foods and Good Meat announced they have received official approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sell their cultivated meat products directly to consumers.
UPSIDE Foods announced that the USDA has issued a “grant of inspection” (GOI), indicating the company has satisfied all federal requirements and standards to operate as a meat establishment. This approval permits UPSIDE to process, package, and sell its cultivated chicken under the scrutiny of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The company noted that they have achieved all three necessary milestones to enter the market: a “No Questions” Letter from the FDA in November 2022, USDA Label Approval in June 2023, and today’s GOI notification.
Following this key development, UPSIDE is set to ramp up production at its EPIC facility. The cultivated chicken is expected to debut soon at Bar Crenn in San Francisco, in collaboration with acclaimed 3-Michelin Star chef Dominique Crenn.
Good Meat, the cultivated meat division of Eat Just, is also poised to enter the U.S. market with its first cultivated poultry product. The company has secured USDA approval to sell its product in interstate commerce, aligning with a partnership with renowned chef José Andrés. While the specific Washington, D.C., restaurant where the cultivated meat will be offered has not yet been revealed, this marks another pivotal step for Good Meat as it extends its reach—having previously made history by being the first to sell cultivated chicken in Singapore in late 2020.
Today’s approvals represent a watershed moment for the alternative protein sector, following significant investment in research and development. After billions of dollars spent in the industry, consumers can finally expect to see cultivated products available on the market.
Despite the optimistic developments, everyday consumers may still experience delays in accessing these products. As cultivated meat is currently produced in limited quantities, it will initially be available only in select high-end restaurants rather than at local grocery stores. It might take some time before these innovative products become commonplace in mainstream retail settings.
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