Lab-grown meat goes on sale in UK dog food
Dog food made from meat that was grown in factory vats has gone on sale in the UK.
Supplier Meatly said the "chick bites" were the first pet food products made from cultivated meat to be sold commercially anywhere in the world.
It said the technology could eventually "eliminate farm animals from the pet food industry" and reduce carbon emissions as well as the use of land and water in meat production.
A trial of the dog treats began at a pet store in Brentford, London, on Friday.
Owen Ensor, who founded London-based Meatly in 2022, said the manufacturing process was similar to brewing beer.
He said: "You take cells from a single chicken egg. From that we can create an infinite amount of meat for evermore.
"We put it in large, steel fermenters... and after a week we're able to harvest healthy, delicious chicken for our pets."
Lab-grown meat, which is genetically indistinguishable from traditionally produced meat, has proved a divisive topic in some countries.
In 2020, Singapore became the first country to authorise the sale of cell-cultivated meat for human consumption, followed by the United States three years later.
However, Italy and the US states of Alabama and Florida have instituted bans.
Advocates point to environmental benefits, while critics say cultivated meat is expensive and could harm farming.
Prof Guy Poppy, from the University of Bristol, said it addressed concerns over animal welfare.
The former chief scientific adviser at the government's Food Standards Agency added: "This is an opportunity to offer the advantages of meat but without the carbon and environmental footprint."
Prof Andrew Knight, from the University of Winchester, said: "About 20% of all the meat that is consumed by high pet-owning nations - and that would include the United Kingdom - is actually consumed by pets not people."
At a Bristol pet store and cafe, dog owners interviewed by the BBC had mixed views.
Charlotte Bloyce said her pet's carbon footprint was worth considering, while Allie Betts said she would not eat lab-grown meat herself and was reluctant to feed it to her dog.
The British Veterinary Association told the BBC it wanted more research on the safety and sustainability of cultivated meat.
Mr Ensor said he could understand people being "a little bit squeamish" about the product.
However, he said it was approved by food regulators and did not contain hormones, steroids and other chemicals sometimes found in meat.
Meatly's chief executive said the product had become much more commercially viable.
He acknowledged: "Currently it is expensive but we've made great strides bringing down the cost dramatically over the last two years and are going to continue to do so."
You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Lab-raised meat 'not the enemy', say farmers
Lab-grown meat set to be sold in UK pet food
Ron DeSantis bans 'global elite' lab-grown meat

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PlushCare Launches Enhanced Online Weight Loss Program to Expand National Access to GLP-1 Prescriptions Through Board-Certified Doctors
Secure Online Access to GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Like Semaglutide Now Available Nationwide Through PlushCare's Updated Virtual Health Platform San Francisco, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PlushCare, a leading virtual healthcare platform, has announced a significant upgrade to its online Weight Loss Program, enabling greater access to GLP-1-based prescription treatments such as semaglutide through board-certified physicians. This development marks a critical milestone in the company's mission to provide affordable, clinically supervised weight management across the United States. Accessible at the updated platform streamlines the process for eligible adults to consult with licensed physicians, receive lab work if necessary, and access customized treatment plans—all from the comfort of their homes. 'We're committed to making evidence-based weight loss solutions more accessible through modern telehealth,' said a PlushCare spokesperson. 'Our program is designed to connect people with experienced doctors who can evaluate eligibility for medications like GLP-1s and deliver a personalized plan that fits their health goals.' Expanded Features for 2025 The revamped Weight Loss Program now includes: Nationwide Access to medical providers via secure telehealth appointments Eligibility Evaluation for FDA-approved medications, including semaglutide Personalized Plans tailored to each user's metabolic profile Optional Lab Testing with integrated results for precision treatment Transparent Pricing with no insurance required The platform is optimized for mobile and desktop users, offering a seamless experience from appointment scheduling to prescription delivery. Addressing a Growing National Health Concern According to the CDC, over 40% of U.S. adults struggle with obesity, with rising demand for effective clinical support. PlushCare's integrated virtual care model delivers a scalable solution that removes traditional geographic and scheduling barriers. Patients can typically get started in under 15 minutes by completing an intake form and booking a same-day appointment with a licensed doctor. If clinically appropriate, a prescription is sent to their preferred pharmacy. About PlushCare PlushCare is a virtual primary care and mental health platform that connects patients with top U.S. medical professionals through its secure telehealth platform. With a commitment to quality care, convenience, and evidence-based treatment, PlushCare is redefining access to modern healthcare. For more information, visit Media Contact:PlushCare Media RelationsEmail: press@ 345 California Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States SOURCE: PlushCare Disclaimer: This release contains forward-looking statements and should not be considered medical advice. All treatments are subject to clinical evaluation and provider discretion. CONTACT: Email: press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Axios
35 minutes ago
- Axios
Former, current CDC employees call on RFK Jr. to resign
Current and former employees of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are calling on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, warning that job cuts and proposed funding reductions will hurt the agency's ability to protect the public from future health outbreaks. Why it matters: The Atlanta-based CDC has long been the unbiased hub Americans turn to for facts about health topics, including sexually transmitted infections, maternal and infant health and respiratory infections. Driving the news: Carrying a large American flag, dozens of current employees at the facility walked out in protest of the cuts and joined people rallying in support of the department. Tuesday's protest attracted more than 100 people who packed the sidewalk along Clifton Road across from the CDC's headquarters. What they're saying: Sarah Boim, a member of Fired But Fighting, a grassroots group of former CDC employees who were terminated this year, told Axios the organization holds rallies each Tuesday in support of people who still work at the agency. "It's really hard to put into words how horrible this experience has been, not just for us, but it's going to really affect everybody in America," she said. Eric Mintz, another former CDC employee, told Axios proposed cuts to the CDC, National Institutes for Health, Food and Drug Administration and Medicaid will take away resources needed to protect people from illnesses. "It's not waste, it's not abuse, it's not fraud," Mintz said. "It's hard-working people with expertise trying to protect the American citizens." Catch up quick: The Health and Human Services Department in March announced about 2,400 positions would be eliminated from the CDC. HHS has said reducing its workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees will cut costs from the agency's nearly $2 trillion budget. On Monday, RFK. Jr. removed all 17 members from the expert panel that makes vaccine policy recommendations to the CDC. He said in a statement the agency is "prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda." Questions are still being raised on who runs the CDC, as there is no public health official or designated point person leading the agency. State of play: Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget also recommends cutting $3.59 billion from the CDC. The budget, which was approved by the U.S. House, is still lingering in the U.S. Senate. Threat level: Anna Yousaf, an infectious diseases doctor at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, called Kennedy a "domestic health threat" who has dismantled programs ranging from lead poisoning prevention to maternal and infant health monitoring.


Chicago Tribune
42 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago-based American Medical Association to ask Senate to investigate RFK Jr.'s firing of vaccine committee members
The Chicago-based American Medical Association plans to ask a U.S. Senate committee to investigate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to overhaul a key vaccine advisory group, the medical association said in an emergency resolution passed Tuesday. The House of Delegates at the AMA, which is the nation's premier doctors' group, adopted the emergency resolution at its annual meeting in Chicago. The adoption came just one day after Kennedy, who is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, announced that he had removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. That advisory committee is tasked with making recommendations on the use of vaccines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which then sets U.S. adult and childhood immunization schedules. Kennedy said he planned to replace the 17 members with new members. 'Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,' Kennedy said in a news release Monday. 'The public must know that unbiased science — evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest — guides the recommendations of our health agencies.' It's a move, however, that's met with sharp criticism, including from the American Medical Association. Kennedy has long been a vaccine skeptic, putting him at odds with doctors and scientists who tout vaccines as life-saving. The American Medical Association's emergency resolution also says that it will send an open letter to Kennedy asking him to reverse his recent changes to the committee. And the association will 'identify and evaluate alternative evidence-based vaccine advisory structures,' according to the resolution. On Monday, outgoing American Medical Association President Dr. Bruce Scott said in a statement that the advisory committee has long been a trusted source of science and data-driven guidance on vaccines. 'Today's action to remove the 17 sitting members of ACIP undermines that trust and upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives,' Scott said. 'With an ongoing measles outbreak and routine child vaccination rates declining, this move will further fuel the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses.'