Hey, Ma…what’s for dinner?

“Cultured meat is a technical revolution, but it is also a possible economic and societal revolution, with the potential to disrupt the traditional meat sector. Given that animal agriculture uses more than three-quarters of the world’s agricultural land , cultured meat can readily reshape the world as we know it. It can address several environmental issues, such as air, soil and water pollution posed by traditional agriculture. It can also drastically reduce the risks of emerging infectious diseases, which are principally associated with the storage, production and consumption of animal food . Since cultured meat can be produced indoors during unfavorable external conditions, such as natural disasters, it may lower global food insecurity. And since it is produced under sterile conditions, it can virtually eliminate contamination with disease-causing pathogens. Further, cultured meat does not rely on the exploitation and slaughter of animals, and thus has strong moral implications.”

Treich N. Cultured Meat: Promises and Challenges. Environ Resour Econ (Dordr). 2021;79(1):33-61. doi: 10.1007/s10640-021-00551-3. Epub 2021 Mar 19. PMID: 33758465; PMCID: PMC7977488.

The precision of fermentation

Precision fermentation is a biotechnological process that uses microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, to produce specific products, like proteins, fats, or other compounds, through fermentation.

Precision fermentation optimizes the conditions under which microorganisms produce specific products, allowing for the targeted production of desired proteins such as Dairy Proteins (including casein and whey protein, used in cheese and yogurt) and Egg Proteins (such as egg white proteins used in baking and cooking).

Would you like to try some today? Buy precision fermented milk from Bored Cow today!

The USDA invests in cellular agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of more than $146 million in sustainable agricultural research projects aimed at improving a robust, resilient, climate-smart food and agricultural system.

The US Department of Agriculture awarded Tufts University $10 million over five years to establish the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture: a flagship American cultivated protein research center of excellence.

“USDA is tackling urgent challenges facing American agriculture and communities across our nation. Critical issues like food insecurity, drought resilience and response, animal disease prevention, and market disruption requires investments to help meet these challenges. This is the time for agriculture, forestry, and rural communities to act. Together we can lead the way with investments in science and research and climate-smart solutions that feed and nourish families, improve the profitability and resilience of producers, improve forest health, while creating new income opportunities, and building wealth that stays in rural communities,” said Secretary Vilsack.

Cellular Agriculture: The Future of Food, Right in Your Bioreactor

Imagine biting into a real beef juicy burger, but instead of coming from a cow on a farm, it was cultivated in a bioreactor using cutting-edge technology. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, it’s here—or almost here! Cellular agriculture is poised to revolutionize food production, and it’s not as wild as you might think!

If you’re wondering how this all works, think of a bioreactor like a fancy fermentation tank—similar to the ones used in brewing beer, but instead of yeast, we’re growing animal cells. These cells are given the right nutrients, temperature, and environment to multiply and develop into something edible. Voilà! You’ve got your burger, sausage, chicken nugget, or even seafood, without any animal ever setting foot on a farm.

For years, we’ve used similar technologies to create life-saving products. Take insulin, for example. It was one of the first success stories of cellular agriculture, made using precision fermentation—a process that’s strikingly similar to beer brewing! So, if you’ve ever thought about how that insulin got into your syringe, you’ve been interacting with cellular agriculture this whole time.

But…is it safe?

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a joint framework for regulating cultured meat and poultry products. This framework aims to ensure the safety and proper labeling of these products.

Companies producing cellular agriculture meat are encouraged to engage in pre-market consultations with the FDA to ensure their products meet safety standards before they reach the market.

The regulatory agencies evaluate various factors, including potential risks, nutritional value, and manufacturing processes, to ensure that cellular agriculture products are safe for consumers.