In the Czech Republic, a company called Bene Meat Technologies is planning to bring its lab-grown ground beef to the pet food market within the next two years, although the plan is still awaiting EU approval. In a country famous for its meat-eating, where a third of the population dies from heart disease, the fact that the average man consumes as much meat as his body weight each year raises questions about the acceptance of this new food. Climate and nutrition scientists have long warned that meat-heavy diets are not only harmful to health but also environmentally unsustainable.

Bene Meat Technologies, together with another company called Mewery, become two of the leading Czech start-ups working on developing more sustainable ways of producing meat. These companies have attracted the attention of the global scientific community and environmentalists by using innovative technologies to extend the life cycle of primitive cells. Bene Meat focuses on ground beef production, while Mewery is making progress in cultured pork.

Bene Meat scientists are working on a new way to enable bovine cells to continue growing outside the body by modifying the cells and creating an environment conducive to natural division and proliferation. In particular, they emphasized that the culture medium used does not rely on fetal bovine serum extracted from the blood of bovine fetuses, which is one of the ethical obstacles facing the field.

While consumers may have reservations about lab-grown foods, BMT researchers stress that by precisely controlling the ingredients of meat, a purer and safer product can be produced. This cultured meat is not only environmentally cleaner, but also ethically preferable because it involves no harm to animals.

Both BMT and Mewery adopt methods of adding plant-based materials to meat without changing its protein structure. These added substances are entirely plant-based, ensuring the final product is edible and in line with both companies’ core values ​​of non-cruelty to animals.

The two start-ups are also working to reduce the environmental impact of commercial farming. According to expert analysis, meat production is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions, land occupation and resource consumption. Data from the Darwin Challenge shows that even one day without eating meat can reduce pollution by 15%, suggesting that the potential environmental benefits of cultured meat may be even greater.

While some studies suggest that making beef production more efficient may be a faster way to reduce emissions, lab-grown meat has the potential to feed humans without creating any environmental concerns. Additionally, studying the cells may reveal other potential benefits, particularly in the medical field.

BMT has not yet been able to expand its production scale, so there is no specific emission data. However, the company aims to enter the market at a price of 4 to 5 euros per kilogram, which is more affordable compared to the traditional meat market.

Although the time to market is expected to be two years, this will largely depend on the future legislative environment. Currently, the EU has strict regulations on genetically modified foods (GMOs), which also apply to lab-grown meat that requires animal cells to be altered so that they can grow in a petri dish.

For Bene Meat Technologies, the pet food market seems to be an easier area to enter and people are more accepting of it. As a result, the company plans to launch its first products, including dog and cat food, in 2024, giving skeptics a glimpse into the future of food.