Is Lab-Grown Meat the Future of Kosher and Halal? Experts Weigh In

Sept 11 - Exciting news for the future of food: Lab-produced meat has the potential to be both kosher and halal! This green light comes with the caveat that the meat's cells are produced in a way that aligns with religious standards. This insight emerged from discussions held by expert panels from the budding industry.

This newfound understanding is a significant step forward for cell-based meat enterprises. It suggests that devout followers of Judaism and Islam might soon enjoy these innovations on their dinner plates.

Josh Tetrick, CEO of GOOD Meat, expressed his enthusiasm, remarking, "This marks a pivotal moment in positioning cultivated meat as a genuine solution for the future."

Currently, cultivated meat can be found in limited amounts in the U.S and Singapore. But with this newfound religious endorsement and potential investment, the industry is optimistic about changing global food preferences.

How is cultivated meat made, you ask? It begins with a sample of animal cells. These cells are nourished with a specialized blend and developed within steel containers. The result? Meat, without the need for vast farming lands or slaughterhouses.

The young industry is looking beyond traditional meat-eaters. They hope to resonate with vegans, vegetarians, and those conscious of the climate impact of their food choices.

GOOD Meat took the initiative and assembled a team of three sharia scholars. Their assessment? Cultivated meat can be deemed halal under specific conditions, such as if the cells originate from an animal slaughtered according to Islamic customs.

Although GOOD's chicken hasn't reached that benchmark yet, the insights offer a clear path forward for producing halal-friendly products, Tetrick shared.

On a related note, the Orthodox Union (OU), the leading kosher certification body, recently endorsed the cultivated chicken from the Israeli firm SuperMeat. This approval came because the chicken cells were sourced from a fertilized egg, free of blood spots, and void of any animal ingredients.

SuperMeat, in collaboration with the OU, is now focusing on establishing more comprehensive standards for the entire industry, says company CEO Ido Savir.

A fun fact to mull over: Over 12 million Americans favor kosher products, and another 8 million go for halal, as highlighted by the OU and Islamic Services of America, a notable halal certification agency.

Earlier this year, regulators gave the nod to cultivated chicken in the U.S. Since then, it's been making appearances on the menus of upscale eateries.

Source : Reuters (Reporting by Leah Douglas)