Cultivated meat is on its way to American plates and European startups want a spot in the kitchen.
After extraction, the cells are placed in a bioreactor and grown into muscle tissue.
Finally, the flesh is shaped into the key in of cuts found on supermarket shelves.
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That market could now slowly start to open up.
Only Singapore had previously permitted sales of cultivated meat.
The USDA approval brings one of the worlds biggest consumers and producers of meat to the table.
It could also convince other countries to take a seat.
European companies are beginning to look across the Atlantic.
InEurope, cultivated meatstartupswant regulators to follow the USDAs lead.
Among them are 3D Bio-Tissues, a Newcastle University spin-out.
In February, the company unveiled the worlds first lab-grownsteak fillet.
Che Connon, the firms CEO, described the new approvals as a monumental milestone for the industry.
US regulations for food safety are some of the most stringent in the world…
The celebratory reaction was echoed atMeatable,a startup based inthe Netherlands.
Krijn de Nood, the companys CEO and co-founder, is optimistic about developments in Europe.
However, not everyone is happy with the progress.
The regulatory breakthrough has made the US an attractive market for Europes cultivated meat startups.
Meatable, for instance, is now workingto secure US approval for its products.
Some industry insiders worry that Europe is falling behind.
The Good Food Institute, a non-profit think tank, has called for the continents policymakers to catch up.
Cultivated meat has the potential to slash emissions, boost our food security and expand consumer choice.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
