British startup Ivy Farm Technologies has received UK regulatory approval to sell its cultivated Wagyu beef as a pet food ingredient, becoming the second company in the country to do so. The Oxford-based firm grows Wagyu beef cells in bioreactors using nutrients like amino acids and vitamins, producing a product with higher protein (20g per 100 kcal) and lower saturated fat (1g per 100g) than conventional beef. It also claims superior digestibility and environmental benefits, using 95% less land and 78% less water while emitting 92% fewer greenhouse gases. Ivy Farm is partnering with manufacturers like Fold Hill Foods to develop pet food products, targeting consumers open to alternative proteins. While the company continues developing its beef for human consumption, regulatory uncertainty in the UK—due to an upcoming trade deal with the EU—poses challenges. Despite this, Ivy Farm aims to launch human-grade products in the UK, US, and Singapore pending approval.
Source: Ivy Farm Technologies Gets UK Approval to Sell Lab-Grown Wagyu Beef for Pets
