Dog food made from lab-grown meat has been introduced for sale in the UK.

The product, called "chick bites," marks the first pet food made from cultivated meat to be sold commercially worldwide.

The company behind the product, Meatly, believes this technology could ultimately phase out the need for farmed animals in pet food production, while reducing carbon emissions and minimizing the environmental footprint associated with land and water use in traditional meat farming.

A trial of these dog treats began at a pet store in Brentford, London, on Friday. Meatly, which was founded in 2022, explained that the production process for the cultivated meat is similar to brewing kombucha. By using cells from a single chicken egg, an endless supply of meat can be generated. The cells are placed in large, steel fermenters, and after about a week, the cultivated chicken is ready for pet consumption.

Lab-grown meat, which mirrors traditionally produced meat genetically, has sparked debates in several nations. In 2020, Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of cell-cultivated meat for human consumption, with the United States following suit three years later. However, some places, including Italy and the US states of Alabama and Florida, have implemented bans on such products.

Supporters highlight the environmental advantages of lab-grown meat, while detractors argue that it is costly and may disrupt traditional farming practices.

Prof. Guy from the University of Bristol believes it addresses concerns regarding animal welfare. He emphasized that this innovation presents an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of meat without the associated carbon and environmental costs. Prof. Andrew Knight from the University of Winchester pointed out that approximately 20% of the meat consumed in pet-owning nations, such as the United Kingdom, is actually consumed by pets, not humans.

In Singapore, deep-fried cultivated chicken from Eat Just was among the first products to be made available. Meatly's CEO, Owen Ensor, acknowledged that people might feel uneasy about the product but reassured that it had received approval from food regulators and did not contain hormones, steroids, or other chemicals sometimes associated with traditional meat.

He also mentioned that the product’s commercial viability had improved significantly, noting that while it is still expensive, the company had made substantial progress in reducing costs over the past two years and plans to continue doing so.