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Alternative proteins could transform the future of the food industry, delivering far superior animal welfare and far greater production efficiency than traditional farming. Bizarrely some European countries and now several US states are moving to ban the use of cultivated meats and restrict marketing of plant-based foods. At least in Florida, they are transparently saying it's due to the threat to the cattle industry. Banning cultivated meat because it threatens the cattle industry is so idiotic it beggars’ belief. Will they next ban wind and solar because they threaten the oil industry? The alternative protein industry, while it has products in the market already, is still in infancy. But it has already been proven safe to consume while having significantly lower environmental impacts. With future breakthroughs and scaling it will only get even further ahead of traditional protein sources. I will give the meat industry credit for recognising the threat these new approaches pose. After all, if you have an emerging competitor which addresses all your weaknesses while still delivering all your benefits, you should be scared. But the extent to which they are going, with many regulators in the US and Europe having passed laws limiting how alternative milks or dairy replacements can be advertised, is a sign of extraordinary fear and weakness. In some instances, they are even banning the words ‘burger’ or ‘milk’ from being used by plant based products. Ironically, those policy makers supporting these bans on competition in the market claim to champion competitive free market regulations. So, while Governor DeSantis boasts of Florida’s number 1 ranking for entrepreneurship in the country, he acts to aggressively stifle entrepreneurship. Such a wide strategy to limit the industry and erect barriers wherever possible will undoubtedly fail. Where it will succeed is ensuring the meat industry stays deluded that they don’t need to change. In the end a better product will win, and the meat industry will be left behind having missed their chance to change.   #alternativeprotein #plantbased #foodinnovation https://lnkd.in/eUEWx5fh  

'Forks over Knives', 'Seaspiracy', 'Cowspiracy', and Netflix's latest documentary 'You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment' collectively shed light on the often overlooked, darker aspects of the food industry and agriculture sector. After watching these eye-opening documentaries, it's challenging not to feel compelled to make positive changes. Amidst reports of industry improvements, like a 66% increase in beef production per animal or a 76% reduction in land use for pig farming, one can't help but question if we're merely trading one issue for another. Moreover, with the continuous growth of the sector and the projected increase in the global population, addressing the unsustainable levels of meat, fish, poultry, and dairy consumption remains a real concern. #sustainablefarming #ClimateAction https://lnkd.in/dwwKHDyN

#Germany: People believe #consumers should be able to eat cultivated #meat, which should also benefit the economy. #CultivatedMeat is like the #beef, #pork & #chicken people eat today but produced by #fermentation, not farming. Most Germans in #survey want the government to support #farmers in switching to producing a higher proportion of #plantbased foods. They are aware of the economic opportunities offered by cultivated #meat & interested in consumer choice: https://lnkd.in/eFA8gwCA #cleanmeat

#Regenerative raised, #USDA approved poultry. LaBelle Patrimoine previously stated that its chickens were the first to be sold at Whole Foods Market under the GAP’s Better Chicken Project. During 2023, the poultry producer was named All-Star Supplier of the Year by Whole Foods. Companies like LaBelle Patrimoine are game changers. Regulators don’t invoke universal regulatory change until better options become commercially viable. They raise the bar for the industry and for #consumers. For those fortunate to have a Whole Foods market available, options like this are common because their buyers seek out only the best sustainable products. Wegmans Food Markets is next in line for national grocers. One might assume that these companies would be expanding rapidly. They’re growing, but not as fast as the discount grocers like ALDI USA. The race to the bottom is what America is known for. We spend about half as much of what we earn on food as we did back in the 1960s. It’s not all bad news. Sprouts Farmers Market came in at number 3 behind Publix Super Markets. Sprouts, like Whole Foods, focuses on quality, fresh #organic options, at a lower customer experience and price point. Overall, it follows the long steady trend of a two-tiered society. Health is simpler and more accessible for those with economic means, but getting evermore challenging for the middle class who walk the aisles of the average grocery store. Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are available but have likely traveled further distance and unlikely organic. Ironically, when they do offer organic, it’s often at a higher cost than the grocers mentioned above. There is no #health, #healthspan, or #longevity without #quality food. It’s one of the most basic laws of life. https://lnkd.in/epjK_mcY

🚫🥩 FLORIDA BANS CULTIVATED MEAT All it took was 24 hours. Ron DeSantis couldn’t wait to sign the much-debated SB 1084, a bill that was headlined by a ban on cultivated meat in Florida. “Some people think Florida is theme parks, South Beach and maybe some oranges, but they don’t understand that we have one of the top cattle industries in the country,” the governor said in a press conference surrounded by cattle ranchers in Hardee County. “What we’re protecting here is the industry against acts of man, against an ideological agenda that wants to finger agriculture as the problem, that views things like raising cattle as destroying our climate.” DeSantis was stood behind a banner that read ‘Save Our Beef’ in the style of the World Economic Forum’s logo. The organisation has previously outlined the importance of alternative proteins to meet the needs of a population that will reach 10 billion in 2050 and combat the changing climate. “I’m sure they’ll say: ‘Hey, wait a minute, just hear us out before you say yuck,'” said DeSantis. “I say Florida has heard enough on that.” Taking aim at the “liberal elite”, he added: “Take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere. We’re not doing that in the state of Florida.” The bill makes it a second-degree misdemeanour to manufacture, transport, commercialise or sell cultivated meat. Businesses can have their licences revoked and receive an immediate stop-sale order. All in a state where meat production continues to rise, with half of its land set aside for cattle farming. “This legislation has always been about one thing – helping one industry, Big Ag, avoid accountability and competition. Today, these multinational corporations and their lobbyists won,” said Tom Rossmeissl, head of global marketing at Eat Just, Inc., one of two companies that have sold cultivated meat (under its GOOD Meat brand) in the US after clearing extensive food safety assessments by the USDA and FDA. SB 1084 was introduced by Republican state representative Jay Collins in the Senate at the end of last year. “There are many concerns right here and, until we have those studies and there’s proof positive that this process is going to work, we want to ban this in the state of Florida because it’s just not there quite yet,” said Collins. “Today, Florida is fighting back against the global elite’s plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish or bugs to achieve their authoritarian goals,” he said, painting a misrepresentation picture of how cultivated meat is produced. At a scale large enough to sell to consumers, these proteins are grown in bioreactors, not petri dishes. “Our administration will continue to focus on investing in our local farmers and ranchers, and we will save our beef,” added DeSantis. with additional commentary from Pepin Tuma and Sean Edgett Jenny Berrien Mia Montanile. #GreenQueen #altprorein #futurefoods #foodtech #sustainability #foodsystems #climateaction 

Another major milestone for cultivated meat—the world’s first cultivated beef product approval! Aleph Farms has received pre-market approval for their cultivated beef in the form of a “No Questions” letter from Israel’s Ministry of Health. This regulatory green light is the first ever for non-chicken cultivated meat anywhere in the world and the first for cultivated meat of any kind in the Middle East. Next steps for the company include securing a final inspection of its pilot production facility. Get the details ➡️ https://reut.rs/3S0Ssgy As global meat demand continues to grow, it’s this type of ground-breaking innovation that can help transition the protein supply toward more environmentally friendly options while providing consumers with the foods they love. Kudos to the Aleph Farms team, The Good Food Institute Israel, and all those working on cultivated meat today, all of whom share much in common with others working across the entire food system—most notably, a commitment to feeding the world in the most efficient, future-resilient way possible.

⚠ The TRUE and lesser-known "risks" of cultivated meat This is truly absurd. Stopping federal funding for cultivated meat production shouldn't be anywhere near the top of the USA's priorities. Let's ensure the conversation is informed by facts like these: 🌟 Job creation ➡ The cultivated meat industry has the potential to create thousands of high(er)-paying jobs for agriculturalists, fisheries, biotechnology, and food science. The sector could generate up to 200,000 jobs by 2030 (GFI). 🌾Diversification of income ➡ Farmers and ranchers can diversify their income streams by cooperating with cultivated meat suppliers and incorporating cultivated meat technologies. In this way, they can gain new revenue sources that complement traditional farming via technology integration and cell line provision. This integration can lead to new job opportunities and skill development within rural communities. 🐟 Decreased fish bycatch: In the case of seafood, cultivated seafood can reduce the demand for wild-caught fish, decreasing the incidence of bycatch—where non-target species, including endangered ones, are accidentally caught and killed. 🔫 Reduced hunting pressure: By providing alternative sources of meat, cultivated meat can reduce hunting pressures on wild populations of endangered species. This is particularly relevant in regions where wild animals are hunted for their meat (e.g., already in decline = quails). 💹 Resilience to market fluctuations and food security ➡ Farmers can reduce their dependence on volatile livestock markets by diversifying into cultivated meat. This can provide greater financial stability and resilience against market disruptions caused by disease outbreaks or climate change. Ensuring a diverse and resilient food supply can also enhance national food security by reducing reliance on imported meat. 🐖 Enhanced animal welfare ➡ Embracing cultivated meat allows farmers and ranchers to reduce the number of animals raised for slaughter, aligning with growing consumer demand for ethical and humane food production. 🌱 Advancing sustainable #agriculture and resource efficiency ➡ Cultivated meat production can drastically reduce agriculture's environmental footprint. It can decrease agricultural land use by 80-90% in order to help preserve biodiversity and reduce deforestation. 📊 Market potential & consumer demand ➡ If made available, surveys indicate that up to 66% of Americans are willing to try cultivated meat, and 33% would make it a regular part of their diet (Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems). Therefore, the global #cultivated meat market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2030 (McKinsey). Federal funds can ensure that the USA captures a significant share of this emerging market while also accelerating the availability and affordability of these products. Thanks for bringing this up, Green Queen Media. https://lnkd.in/eACtwJA8

Any new solutions and increases in existing ones are definitely befencial. Reducing Bobby calves and ideally increasing farmer returns is a win-win.

Singaporean startup, Ants Innovate, recently hosted a private tasting of its cultivated meat products. A spin-off from the A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the company's tasting featured a variety of dishes made with Ants Innovate's cultivated pork products. Guests were treated to meatballs, dumplings, and grilled skewers that were indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. "We believe that cultivated meat has the potential to revolutionize the food industry," said Stephen Lim, Executive Director of Ants Innovate. "By offering a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional meat, we can help address the growing global demand for protein while reducing our reliance on livestock farming." #foodtech #cultivatedmeat #alternativeproteins

Key words that keep coming up; collaboration is essential. Let’s bridge the gap between farming and food, for a win win outcome 🙌🏻 Thank you to all the farmers who helped with this piece of work and a huge thanks to Ged Futter who pulled this together The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) #OFC24 #mindsetchange #supplychain #foodandfarming