The British start-up is not the only company racing to offer the first lab-grown product on the pet food market.
Czech company Bene Meat Technologies became the first company globally to be licensed to produce and sell lab-grown meat for pet food earlier this year. Its products are due to launch in the EU in 2024.
A Bene Meat spokesman said: “The cultivation process needs to be extremely tightly controlled and monitored for it to work. All ingredients going into the culturing process are commonly used natural foodstuffs. So cultured meat will be really safe to eat.”
Yvonne Taylor, vice president of corporate projects at animal rights campaign group PETA, said the lab-grown alternative would fit the bill for those who want to feed their dogs meat without harming animals, provided it is safe.
She said: “If in vitro technology is kinder to animals, can help mitigate environmental damage, and can make the food supply safer, everyone should support it.
“Of course, tasty vegan dog food fortified with the amino acids dogs need already exists and offers a meaty flavour without involving cruelty, but for people who still want to feed their dogs animal flesh without harming animals, lab-grown meat would fit the bill.”
However, some animal experts disagreed.
Anna Webb, host of podcast A Dog’s Life, said it was unclear if the lab-grown meat would have the same nutritional value as meat from animals.
“You’re making fake meat, which doesn’t sit right with me,” she said.
“It’s quite an experiment to put your dog on this feed. There’s no guarantee that they’re actually going to be getting the nutrition that the marketing suggests.”
Owen Ensor, chief executive of Meatly, said: “We have not released any product yet, but we’re incredibly excited for when we do. Meatly is real meat, and as such, has all the same nutrients of traditional meat.”
The exact nutritional information for the lab-grown products has not yet been released. Pets at Home was approached for comment.
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