In a groundbreaking move, a new dog treat made from lab-grown meat has hit the shelves at Pets at Home, marking a significant milestone in the pet food industry.
These innovative treats, called Chick Bites, are the result of combining plant-based ingredients with cultivated meat, produced through an advanced process that grows cells without the need for raising or slaughtering animals.
The company behind this revolutionary product, Meatly, has disclosed that the chicken used in their treats is derived from a single sample of cells taken from one chicken egg. This single sample has the potential to produce enough cultivated meat to feed pets indefinitely.
The company assures pet owners that this meat is just as flavorful and nutritious as traditional chicken, packed with essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins crucial for pet health.
In July, the UK made history by becoming the first country in Europe to endorse cultivated meat for use in pet food, with the approval of the chicken produced by Meatly from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Pets at Home proudly claims to be the first retailer in the world to offer cultivated meat for pet food, launching a limited release of Chick Bites at their Brentford location in west London.
Pets at Home has invested in Meatly, underscoring their commitment to providing nutritious and sustainable alternatives to traditional dog treats. The introduction of these cultivated meat snacks is seen as a healthy option that could greatly benefit both pets and the environment.
Meatly has ambitious plans to secure funding for expanding production and making their chicken products more widely accessible in the coming years. They are also collaborating with The Pack, a partner that supplies the plant-based ingredients for these treats.
Owen Ensor, the founding CEO of Meatly, expressed the excitement surrounding this project by stating, “Just two years ago this felt like a moon shot. Today we take off. It’s a giant leap forward.” His vision reflects a significant shift toward a market for meat alternatives that are healthy, sustainable, and compassionate toward our planet and its creatures.
Anja Madsen, the Chief Operating Officer of Pets at Home, highlighted the potential of this innovation to drastically reduce the environmental impact of pet food, calling it a gamechanger for the industry.
Damien Clarkson, CEO of The Pack, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that cultivated meat could provide a delicious, low-carbon, and healthy protein source, paving the way for a future without farmed animals in the pet food sector.
With the launch of Chick Bites, a new era in pet treats is beginning, one that prioritizes health, sustainability, and ethical practices, promising a bright future for pets and the planet alike.
Revolutionizing Pet Treats: World's First Lab-Grown Chicken Dog Treats Hit Shelves
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