The global meat industry has long stood at the crossroads of climate and conservation challenges, driving deforestation, accelerating biodiversity loss, and pumping out a hefty share of greenhouse gases. Livestock farming alone is responsible for an estimated 15-18% of global emissions, according to the FAO — putting it on par with the world’s entire transport sector. And the pressure’s only mounting: with the global population on track to surpass 9.7 billion by 2050, the appetite for protein is expected to soar, stretching the planet’s resources to breaking point. Conventional meat production — with its heavy appetite for land, water, and feed — is increasingly viewed as both an ecological dead-end and an ethical dilemma.

What is cultured meat?

Cultured meat, also known as lab-grown meat, cell-based meat, or clean meat, is genuine animal meat that is produced by cultivating animal cells directly, rather than by raising and slaughtering animals. The process begins with the extraction of a small sample of animal cells, typically muscle cells, from a live animal through a painless biopsy. These cells are then placed in a controlled, nutrient-rich environment designed to mimic the conditions inside an animal’s body.

In this environment, the cells are encouraged to grow, multiply, and differentiate into muscle tissue — the primary component of meat. Over time, these muscle fibers develop in a bioreactor, forming structures similar to conventional meat cuts. The result is edible, real meat that has the same taste, texture, and nutritional properties as traditional animal meat, but without the need for animal farming or slaughter.

What are Types of Cultured Meat?

• Cultured Beef

Grown from cow muscle cells, this type is used to produce products like ground beef, burgers, meatballs, and even steak.
Example: Lab-grown beef burgers.

• Cultured Chicken

Made from chicken muscle cells, this is one of the most developed types because chicken is widely consumed.
Example: Chicken nuggets, fillets, or strips grown in bioreactors.

• Cultured Pork

Derived from pig muscle cells, cultured pork can be used for sausages, bacon, ham, and minced pork.
Example: Cultured bacon or pork dumpling filling.

• Cultured Fish and Seafood

Produced from the cells of fish like salmon, tuna, or shrimp, this type focuses on providing sustainable alternatives to ocean-caught seafood.
Example: Fish fillets, sushi-grade tuna, or shrimp grown from cells.

• Cultured Duck and Other Poultry

Less common but growing, this involves the cultivation of duck or other bird cells for products like duck breast or ground duck meat.

Major Companies Producing Cultured Meat

1. Aleph Farms

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: Rehovot, Israel

Aleph Farms is a cellular agriculture company. We design new ways to grow quality animal products that improve sustainability, food security, and animal welfare in our food systems. 

1. Mosa Meat

Founded: May 2016

Headquarters: Maastricht, The Netherlands

Mosa Meat is a Dutch food technology company, headquartered in Maastricht, Netherlands, creating production methods for cultured meat.

1. BlueNalu,Inc

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: San Diego, CA

BlueNalu’s mission is to be the global leader in cell-cultured seafood, providing consumers with great tasting, healthy, safe, and trusted products that support the sustainability and diversity of our ocean.

1. Finless Foods

Founded: March 2017

Headquarters: Emeryville, California, United States

Finless Foods is committed to creating a future for seafood where the ocean thrives. Finless Foods offers options for all palates and dietary preferences, providing consumers with a range of responsibly produced food products to diversify their daily habits and pave the way toward a more sustainable future and a healthier ocean.

1. Meatable

Founded: 2018

Headquarters: Delft, Netherlands

Meatable is a Dutch biotechnology company aimed at cultured meat, particularly pork.

1. SuperMeat

Founded: 2015

Headquarters: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

SuperMeat is an Israeli startup company working to develop a "meal-ready" chicken cultured meat product created through the use of cell culture.

1. GOOD Meat, Inc

Founded: 2016

Headquarters: United States, Singapore

Parent organization: Eat Just

GOOD Meat is a new brand from Eat Just, Inc., a food company that applies science and technology to create safe, healthy and more sustainable foods. GOOD Meat is cultivated meat, a process of making sustainable, safe meat from animal cells instead of slaughtered animals.

Where is Lab-Grown Meat Sold in 2025?

The availability of lab-grown meat is still limited but steadily expanding as regulatory approvals progress and production capabilities grow. Key regions leading this development include:

1. Singapore
   Singapore was the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meat and remains at the forefront of the industry. Companies like GOOD Meat offer their products in select high-end restaurants and retail pilot programs. Backed by government grants and strong infrastructure investment, Singapore continues to set the global standard for regulatory and commercial innovation in the cultured meat space.
2. United States
   After receiving USDA and FDA approval in 2023, lab-grown meat is now available at select dining locations, including Bar Crenn in San Francisco, where products from UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat are served. Wider distribution into mainstream grocery stores is expected by 2026 as production scales.
3. Europe
   While regulatory processes have moved more slowly, Europe is seeing progress through pilot projects by companies like Meatable in the Netherlands. Growing public interest, combined with sustainability goals and government-funded research, is expected to speed up approvals and market entry in the near future.

Looking Ahead

The cultured meat industry is poised for significant growth as technological advancements, regulatory approvals, and cost reductions drive its expansion. With more countries approving lab-grown meat, it will become increasingly available in mainstream markets, with wider retail distribution and diverse products, including exotic meats and lab-grown dairy. As production scales up, costs will drop, making cultured meat more affordable and competitive with traditional meat, while innovations in bioreactor technology will improve efficiency and sustainability. Consumer acceptance will grow as taste, texture, and ethical benefits like animal welfare and environmental impact become more widely recognized. The industry’s role in addressing food security and sustainability challenges is expected to be a key driver of its success in the coming years.