A dog treat made from lab-grown meat goes on sale in a pet shop in Brentford, West London, tomorrow (7 February 2025). Chick Bites use the ingredient 'Meatly Chicken', which has been created from a single sample of cells taken from a chicken egg.
The treats are made from this cultivated meat, which is produced by growing cells, and combined with plant-based ingredients.
The manufacturer, Meatly, claims that with Meatly Chicken, "pets can enjoy the same great-tasting meat they crave, but in a way which is kinder for animals and better for the planet".
"[It] is just as tasty and nutritious as traditional chicken breast, containing all the essential amino acids, critical fatty acids, minerals and vitamins needed for pet health."
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In July 2024, Meatly became the first European company ever to be authorised to sell cultivated meat, following UK clearance for its pet food.
The process included input from the UK’s regulatory bodies: Food Standards Agency (FSA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Owen Ensor, Founding CEO of Meatly, said: “We’re incredibly excited to introduce cultivated meat to the pet world. It’s a giant leap forward – toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals."
Meatly has said it plans to expand production and make its chicken more broadly available in the next three to five years.
Pets at Home is one of the largest investors in Meatly.
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Main image credit: Getty Images