The future of pet food has arrived with the launch of the world’s first lab-grown meat treats for dogs. A UK-based company, Meatly, has introduced Chick Bites, a revolutionary product that blends cultivated chicken with plant-based ingredients. This marks a major milestone in sustainable pet nutrition, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional meat-based dog treats.
In July 2024, the UK became the first European country to approve lab-grown meat for pet food. Meatly is leading the way in this innovation, emphasizing the benefits of cultivated meat for pets while reducing the environmental impact of traditional pet food production. Chick Bites, developed in collaboration with British vegan pet food brand The Pack, offer a nutritious and sustainable choice for dog owners.
Meatly’s cultivated chicken comes from a single sample of cells taken from a chicken egg, ensuring the same taste and nutritional value as conventional chicken breast. It provides essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins required for a dog’s health. The first batch of Chick Bites is available at a single Pets at Home store in Brentford, England, with plans to expand production in the coming years.
While lab-grown meat is yet to be approved for human consumption in the UK and Europe, other regions like Singapore, Israel, and most of the US have embraced it. The biggest challenge remains scaling production to make it commercially viable. Meatly’s launch proves that lab-grown pet food is a step closer to becoming widely available, with plans to expand within the next few years.
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