Pet treats made from lab-grown meat go on sale in the UK in 'world first'

Dog treats made from lab-grown meat have gone on sale at a UK pet retailer, in what it claims is a world first.

Chick Bites are made from plant-based ingredients combined with cultivated meat, which is produced by growing cells, and does not require the raising or slaughter of animals.

Meatly, the manufacturer, said the chicken meat was produced from a single sample of cells taken from one chicken egg, from which enough cultivated meat could be produced to feed pets “forever”.

It said the meat contains all the essential amino acids, critical fatty acids, minerals and vitamins needed for pet health, and is just as “tasty” as “traditional” chicken breast.

In July, the UK became the first country in Europe to back cultivated meat for use in pet food.

Retailer Pets at Home said it believed it was the first company in the world to sell cultivated meat for pet food.

Meatly founder Owen Ensor said the release was a “giant leap forward” for the pet food industry.

“Just two years ago, this felt like a moon shot. Today we take off,” he said. “It’s a giant leap forward, toward a significant market for meat which is healthy, sustainable and kind to our planet and other animals.”

Lab-grown meat has proved a divisive topic in some countries. While advocates point to the environmental and animal welfare benefits, critics say the meat is expensive, and could negatively impact farmers.

In Singapore, regulators allowed cultivated meat to be sold in restaurants in December 2020. The US and Israel have also approved the products for human consumption.

In the UK, approval has only been granted for pet food, and not for consumption by people.

A limited release of Chick Bites have gone on sale at Pets at Home in Brentford, London.

Pets at Home chief operating officer Anja Madsen said: “We are thrilled to be working with Owen and the team to provide cultivated meat pet food products to our customers for the first time in the world.

“This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of pet food and will be a game-changer for the industry.”