World's 1st lab-grown meat for pets available in the UK
What's the story
Pets at Home, a leading UK pet retailer, has launched the world's first dog treat made from lab-grown meat.
The product, called 'Chick Bites,' is a combination of plant-based ingredients and Meatly's lab-grown chicken.
This revolutionary method of producing pet food doesn't require raising or slaughtering animals, representing a major change in the industry.
Nutritional profile
Production process and nutritional value of Chick Bites
The lab-grown chicken used in Chick Bites comes from a single cell sample from one chicken egg. This, according to Meatly, can produce enough meat to feed pets forever.
The company claims their lab-grown meat is as tasty and nutritious as regular chicken breast, with all the essential amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins required for pet health.
Regulatory approval
UK government approves lab-grown meat for pet food
In July, the UK became the first European nation to approve lab-grown meat for pet food.
The decision came after Meatly's chicken was sanctioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Pets at Home has now launched a limited release of Chick Bites in its Brentford store in west London, claiming to be the first company globally to sell lab-grown meat for pet food.
Expansion plans
Pets at Home and Meatly plan future collaborations
Pets at Home, an investor in Meatly, has called Chick Bites a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional dog treats.
The companies hope to raise funds to scale production and make lab-grown chicken more accessible in the next three to five years.
They also plan more collaborations with The Pack, which provides the plant-based ingredients for Chick Bites.