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Meet the first lab-grown beef that is ready for sale. The new product is expected to hit the markets of Israel and other countries soon, revolutionizing the food industry.
Lucy, a Black Angus cow, was born in 2011 on a farm in California and quickly became a premium breed, known for producing high-quality eggs. Her gametes were distributed globally to breeders interested in genetically improving their herds. Now, Lucy is making history in a new way: her contribution goes beyond the traditional. In this article, we will explore the revolutionary advance of lab-grown beef, an innovation that promises to transform the food industry, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency in the production of animal protein.
First lab-grown meat approved for consumption
A handful of Lucy's cells deviated from the norm. The material was sent to the city of Rehovot, in Israel. There, scientists from the cellular agriculture startup Aleph Farms They “cultivated” black angus eggs and “harvested” steaks from them. Having died in 2022 of natural causes, Lucy is now making history about the future of food as the “mother” of the first lab-grown meat to be released for consumption.
The endorsement comes from Israeli Ministry of Health, after a year and a half of consultations. Until then, only two countries had approved the consumption of lab-grown meat: Singapore, in 2020, and the United States, in 2023. In both, the approval of health authorities was for chicken meat. Thus, Lucy will be the first beef to be approved.
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The first cut to be launched by the Rehovot-based foodtech, under the Alpeh Cuts brand, is a “petit steak.” For now, the lab-grown meat will be available in select restaurants in Israel.
According to Yoav Reisler, a company spokesperson, in an interview, a pilot production facility is currently operating and limited quantities of Aleph Cuts are produced, about 10 tons per year. The facility has three specific purposes: regulatory approvals, launches and expansion.
Hollywood actors invest in lab-grown beef
Founded in 2017 by engineer and CEO Didier Toubia, genetics PhD and CTO Neta Lavon, and molecular biologist Shulamit Levenberg, Aleph Farms has so far raised nearly $120 million, according to Crunchbase. Among the 20 backers of the lab-grown meat are actor Leonardo DiCaprio and American firm Alumni Ventures.
According to Reisler, Aleph Farms' main focus at the moment is to reach Asia, via Singapore, and the Middle East, via Israel. The executive adds that the lab-grown meat has also been submitted for approval in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The company's long-term strategy also includes collaboration with traditional companies in the sector. The executive highlights that these partnerships involve co-investment in production facilities and market positioning, through purchase and distribution contracts. Among the companies is the Brazilian company BRF.
Lab-grown beef market expected to reach $1,1 billion
Lab-grown meat is emerging as an alternative to the scarcity of agricultural land and the growing global demand for animal-based protein. Valued at $200 billion, the global lab-grown meat market grew 16,1% in 2023 alone.
By 2034, it should reach US$1,1 billion. The technology for growing meat began to be developed in 2010. A process as complex as it is fascinating.
Scientists let Lucy's fertilized eggs proliferate for a short period. The new cells are then sent to gigantic bioreactors. There, they are fed with water, oxygen, nutrients, and other compounds. In a controlled environment, they multiply at an accelerated rate. They grow, subdivide, and swell.
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