5 cell-based meat startups form coalition to educate and advocate
Five leading cell-based meat companies have formed a coalition to advocate for the emerging market sector of meat produced with cellular agriculture. The new Alliance for Meat, Poultry & Seafood Innovation (AMPS Innovation) will engage with consumers, stakeholders, policymakers, and regulators to educate the public about cell-based (also known as cultured) meat category and work to ensure a clear path to market.
Founding companies UPSIDE Foods, JUST, Fork & Goode, BlueNalu, and Finless Foods are currently in the R&D stage—cultivating meat directly from animal cells rather than raising and slaughtering animals. Meat produced through this process of cellular agriculture is not yet commercially available. However, as the industry gets ever closer to graduating from prototypes to commercial products, it is increasingly important for the public and for policymakers to have a clear understanding of this new form of meat production.
A unified voice
In a joint statement, the co-founders of UPSIDE Foods, JUST, Fork & Goode, BlueNalu, and Finless Foods said:
“The Alliance for Meat, Poultry & Seafood Innovation was founded on a desire for members of our industry to come together and speak with a unified voice as we emerge as a viable, impactful partner in the overall food and agriculture sector.
“Over the past few years, each member company has made significant strides in the development of our products, and we are excited at the prospect that they will soon be options in the everyday diets of individuals. We are committed to an open and science-based dialogue with all stakeholders, including industry partners, policymakers, advocates, and consumers.
“As we look ahead to the imminent challenges of feeding a growing population, AMPS Innovation is dedicated to working together, in partnership with the broader agricultural community, to advance solutions to address these needs.”
Better together
GFI executive director Bruce Friedrich said, “Today’s announcement signals the maturity of the burgeoning cultured meat industry, which is positioned to transform global food systems and bring about a new agricultural revolution.” He continued, “We are excited for a future of food that includes cultured meat, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to making that future a reality.”
Better together. It’s more than a Hallmark card. It’s a key ingredient for success.
Read GFI press statement here.
Author
Mary Allen
Mary Allen is a science writer, creative strategist, and GFI alum focused on the intersection of sustainability and emerging technology. Find more of her work at mary-allen.com.
